2025:Program/Mapping Community Libraries, Public Libraries, and Museums in Uganda: Leveraging OpenStreetMap for Knowledge Access
Session title: Mapping Community Libraries, Public Libraries, and Museums in Uganda: Leveraging OpenStreetMap for Knowledge Access
- Session type: Lecture
- Track: GLAM
- Language: en
đ„ Session recording: https://w.wiki/F8HG đ„
Community and public libraries, along with museums, play a crucial role in knowledge dissemination, cultural preservation, digital access, and literacy. However, many of these institutions in Uganda remain undocumented, making it difficult for communities, researchers, and policymakers to support and engage with them effectively.
This session will showcase how OpenStreetMap (OSM) and uMap have been used to map community and public libraries as well as museums across Uganda, creating an open, accessible dataset that benefits researchers, policymakers, educators, and the general public.
We will explore the methodology used in mapping these institutions, data collection challenges encountered, and how Wikimedia projects can integrate and amplify such open datasets. Additionally, the session will highlight how community-driven mapping efforts can bridge digital and knowledge access gaps and foster meaningful partnerships particularly in the Global South.
Description
Access to information is a fundamental pillar of knowledge equity. Community and public libraries, alongside museums, in Uganda serve as critical hubs for education, cultural preservation, digital access, and literacy. However, many of these institutions remain undocumented, making it challenging for communities, researchers, and policymakers to support, protect, and leverage them effectively.
This session will explore how OpenStreetMap (OSM) and uMap were used to map community and public libraries, as well as museums across Ugandaâcreating an open-access dataset that can be utilized by educators, students, cultural institutions, government bodies, and digital access initiatives. The talk will demonstrate how open geospatial data can enhance public knowledge infrastructure, bridge digital and cultural access gaps, and contribute to Wikimedia projects.
The session will also provide insights into community-driven mapping efforts, including data collection challenges, sustainability concerns, and integration with Wikidata and Wikipedia to improve the visibility and discoverability of libraries and museums across platforms.
Aims and Objectives: Showcase the power of open mapping for public knowledge and cultural infrastructure. Demonstrate the use of OpenStreetMap and uMap for documenting libraries and museums. Highlight how open geospatial data contributes to public and cultural knowledge accessibility. Discuss the challenges and opportunities of mapping libraries and museums in Uganda. Address data accessibility, verification, and underrepresentation challenges. Explore sustainability through community-led data maintenance and partnerships. Encourage the integration of open geospatial data with Wikimedia projects. Discuss how Wikidata can host and enrich metadata for libraries and museums. Demonstrate how Wikipedia can serve as a hub for accessible knowledge about these institutions. Engage a broader audience in open mapping and Wikimedia collaboration. Inspire Wikimedia communities, librarians, museum curators, and policymakers to engage in open mapping efforts. Identify opportunities for cross-platform collaboration (OSM + Wikimedia + cultural networks).
Target Audience: Wikimedia community members interested in open knowledge, cultural data, and geospatial tools. OpenStreetMap contributors, uMap users, and GIS professionals. Librarians, archivists, and museum professionals focused on access, visibility, and outreach. Educators, researchers, and digital literacy advocates. Policymakers and government representatives working on education, culture, and public infrastructure.
Expected Outcomes: Increased awareness of how open geospatial data can support access to libraries and museums. Strengthened collaborations between OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, and Wikipedia communities. New inspiration for mapping initiatives and cultural documentation in Uganda and beyond. Improved documentation and visibility of public libraries and museums on OSM and Wikimedia platforms.
- How does your session relate to the event theme, Wikimania@20 â Inclusivity. Impact. Sustainability?
As Wikimania celebrates 20 years of advancing free knowledge, this session aligns with the Wikimania@20 theme by showcasing how open mapping can bridge knowledge gaps in the Global South. Libraries and Museums are vital for education, cultural preservation and digital access, yet many remain undocumented. By integrating OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, and Wikipedia, this initiative enhances public knowledge infrastructure, making libraries more visible and accessible. Looking ahead, Wikimediaâs future will increasingly rely on geospatial data to document key institutions. This session highlights a collaborative model for mapping public resources, ensuring Wikimedia remains a leader in open, structured, and location-based knowledge for all.
- What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?
Everyone can participate in this session
Resources
Speakers
- Micheal Kaluba
- I have been an active contributor to the Wikimedia movement since 2020, focusing on bridging knowledge gaps, promoting open data, and integrating geospatial information with Wikimedia platforms. As the Project Lead for WikiGap 2024 & 2025 under Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda, I have worked to increase the representation of women and marginalized voices on Wikipedia.
- Additionally, I serve as a board member at Board of Directors of Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda, contributing to strategic planning and management for Wikimedia initiatives. My work at OpenStreetMap Uganda allows me to connect geospatial data with Wikimedia projects, enriching Wikidata and Wikipedia articles with location-based knowledge. I have led training programs on OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, and Wikimedia Commons, empowering communities to engage with free and open knowledge platforms.
- I actively advocate for open data, digital literacy, and knowledge equity through edit-a-thons, mapping projects, and Wikimedia campaigns. As the Wikimedia movement celebrates Wikimania@20, I remain committed to expanding Wikimediaâs impact in Uganda and Africa, strengthening collaborations between Wikimedia, OpenStreetMap, and public institutions, and ensuring African knowledge is well-represented in Wikimediaâs global ecosystem.
- Catherine Amia
- I am the Coordinator of the Community Libraries Association of Uganda (COLAU) and a volunteer with the Wikimedia User Group Uganda (WUGU). I am mainly active in Wikimedia projects under the Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (GLAM).
- As a librarian by profession, I started actively participating in Wikimedia projects through the 1lib1ref campaigns organised by the African Libraries and Information Institutions Association (AfLIA).
- I also participated in the library mapping exercise in which we created wikidata items for the libraries mapped and uploaded their photos on Wiki Commons. A Geo map was created using the open street map platform showing the exact locations of community and public libraries in Uganda.
- This is one of the best deliverables achieved through a partnership between COLAU and WUGU.
- In 2024, I participated in a GLAM mentorship program in a Wikisource training as a meentee. Later on in May 2025, I participated in the Women in Wikisource training as a mentor.
- Earlier this year, the 'Newspaper project' was launched. In this, we are creating Wikipedia articles and wikidata items about newspapers in Uganda and uploading their photos on Wiki Commons. (This is still ongoing).
- Furthermore, I have also participated in the WikiGap and Wiki Loves folklore, Wiki Loves Africa campaigns.
- I have special interest in open knowledge and digital literacy; and in my current role as the Coordinator, I hope to liase more partnerships to support libraries in Uganda to close the digital divide so that we remain relevant in this paradigm shift.
- I hope to expand knowledge about Wikimedia projects to librarians in Uganda, across Africa and in the global village.