UC Irvine Libraries

Two 2013 research data management reports, from ARL and from OCLC Research, point to the need to restructure research library data services. We discuss types of restructuring needed, utilizing in part the experience of the University of California, Irvine, Libraries, in establishing an E-Research & Digital Scholarship Services component, but also analyzing the changes at other research libraries as they grapple with the new mandate to make research data more accessible, and all that implies. We also analyze recent job announcements to illustrate how the profession of social science data librarian has changed and the recruitment implications. No longer is it sufficient for us to just help academic users find datasets for secondary analysis. Rather, our roles have changed inasmuch as many of us may become active collaborators with faculty during the research life cycle. Not only must research data be aligned with research infrastructure but the traditional liaison model of social science librarianship needs to be enhanced or restructured. We discuss various strategies underway so that libraries can actively participate in the global data ecosystem.