Data Challenge. Re-thinking the library as a learning space to intersect youth, culture and gender diversity.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on public spaces, which has become an urban variable that changes people's mindset and perception about their use, fruition, affection, and considerations. The Data Challenge project research identifies a common thread between gender-related data, public spaces of libraries and the approach of younger generations to cultural facilities. Service design methodologies can support change in the public sector and foster democratic processes in the co-creation of knowledge. The research uses two main pillars: design research and practices to innovate existing services for young people and "Citizens as scientists" processes to analyse quantitative and qualitative data. The methodology implemented is a replicable tool for Citizen Science projects based on horizontal and vertical research actions to identify existing data and communicate complex social phenomena related to young people, culture and gender diversity. The research activities aimed to build skills in young generations in the field of professional orientation, such as understanding inclusivity and gender equality, through collaborative and laboratory activities in school spaces and out-of-school spaces. Challenges investigate relationships and perceptions between young people and culture, experiment with data analysis and visualisation, and create product/service prototypes.