Academic Libraries and Research Data Services: Current Practices and Plans for the Future

Abstract

This survey reports the findings of a cross section of academic libraries in the United States and Canada to provide a baseline assessment of the current state of and future plans for research data services in academic libraries. Recently the academic library community has identified data curation as one of the top ten trends in 2012. Some academic libraries are already engaged in these activities, and others are examining ways they can best provide a range of research data services. As science becomes more collaborative, data-intensive, and computational, academic researchers are faced with a range of data management needs. Combine these needs with funding directives that require data management planning, and there is both a need and an imperative for research data services in colleges and universities. Academic libraries may be ideal centers for research data service activities on campuses, providing unique opportunities for academic libraries to become even more active participants in the knowledge creation cycle in their institution.