DPLA Community Reps Produce Hackathon Planning Guide, Now Available

We’re excited to announce the release of a new Community Reps-produced resource, GLAM Hack-in-a-box, a short guide to organizing and convening a hackathon using cultural heritage data from GLAM organizations (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums) including DPLA. We hope this guide will serve as a useful resource for those either unfamiliar with or inexperienced in pulling together a hackathon.

Included in this hackathon guide

What is a hackathon?
Learn about what a hackathon is and who can participate in one. Common examples–and misconceptions–are covered in this introductory section.

Developing your program
Think through the key details of your hackathon’s program. Topics covered include audience, purpose and goals, format, and staffing. Example programs are included as well.

Working through the logistics
Understand the logistical details to consider when planning a hackathon. Topics covered include venue considerations, materials, and project management tips. Example materials are included as well.

Day-of and post-hackathon
Learn how to make the most of your hard work when it counts most: the day-of! Topics covered include key day-of considerations and common concerns.

Handy resources
Find a number of useful resources for planning a GLAM API-based hackathon, including DPLA, as well as guides that we used in the process of writing this document.

This free resource was produced by the DPLA Community Reps over the course of summer 2014.  Many thanks go out to Community Reps Chad Nelson and Nabil Kashyap for volunteering their time and energy to work on this guide. If you happen to use the guide in planning a hackathon for the first time, or, if you’ve planned a hackathon in the past and learned something new and/or have additional recommendations after reading it, let us know!