LIBRA – The Library of Air

LIBRA – The Library of Air is an innovative citizen science project aimed at raising public awareness of air quality and urban microclimates through a free lending service of environmental sensors. These sensors measure various parameters such as temperature, humidity, and air quality, both indoors and outdoors, in public or private spaces.

The project is a collaboration between the research groups ARIA P@LIT@, Techno-Scientific Practices and Socio-Cultural Processes, Officine Creative Torino, and Il Campanile ETS. LIBRA is funded by the Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo through the Re:azioni call.

The project includes several activities:

  1. Sensor Lending
    Citizens can borrow air quality sensors free of charge for 15 days to measure PM1, PM2.5, PM10, temperature, and humidity. Sensors are available at Officine Creative Torino, located at Cecchi Point. An interactive and user-friendly platform allows users to view and analyze the data collected in real time via an open-source system.
  2. Workshops and Educational Activities
    The project offers hands-on and educational labs to raise awareness about the risks of air pollution and the importance of healthy lifestyles. Workshops will include training sessions on the online platform and educational modules for schools and families.
  3. Focus Groups and Community Meetings
    Citizens who use the sensors will participate in discussion tables and focus groups to share their experiences, reflect on the project, and propose improvements.

The project will run for 19 months (from December 2024 to June 2026) and aims to build an actively engaged and informed community regarding air quality and urban microclimate issues. Impact will be assessed through the number of loans made, feedback from questionnaires, and insights from focus groups.

Awareness-raising and environmental education will focus on the causes and effects of air pollution and will be delivered through public events, workshops, and collaborations with local schools, with a special emphasis on families and young people.

Visit the LIBRA project page.

For information: ariapolito.citizenscience@gmail.com
Research team: Sofia Fellini, Tommaso Listo, Alvise Mattozzi, Erika Valenza, Marina Clerico

Project developed in collaboration with

   

   

   

With the support of