Research Data - Libraries of the Future
Modern scientific research generates vast quantities of data, which must be stored, managed and curated properly if we and future generations are to reap the rewards of substantial research investments. Given the central importance of research data and their management, libraries can position themselves as a key element of research and other institutional infrastructures and bring key skills (eg in curation and metadata) to bear on a challenging topic that is high on the international agenda.
In addition, libraries can forge alliances with national and international services such as UKDA (UK Data Archive), EBI (European Bioinformatics Institute), NERC (Natural Environment Research Council) data centres, to contribute expertise locally for researchers who have data management responsibilities. Libraries can forge alliances with national and international services to contribute expertise locally for researchers who have data management responsibilities
But, to realize these opportunities, libraries need to articulate a convincing argument to researchers about what they can and should offer to the practice of data management. Data management is difficult and far more complex than managing research papers or even learning materials. It involves complex, heterogeneous, and often vast volumes of data and libraries are not usually funded to curate data. There is the further question mark as to whether librarians have the mix of information handling skills, database and subject domain expertise to look after data and librarians need to work with other professionals and academics to identify a unique skillset that librarians can bring.
Work therefore needs to be done to describe data management as a career and a forthcoming 'careers/skills' study will make recommendations on this, which library schools, CILIP and others will need to address.