Increased accessibility of datasets and statistical resources through faculty-library collaboration

This paper outlines a unique collaborative approach used to bring together library and teaching faculty with library IT staff to better manage datasets and statistical resources. Librarians led a process to identify specific challenges, assess data resources available through the library and academic departments, determine user needs, implement and promote solutions, and assess student and faculty responses. Additionally, the presenter will discuss project outcomes including organizing and consolidating datasets, designing dataset and statistics web pages to direct users to appropriate sources, naming a librarian the Institutional Representative for ICPSR, and increasing student support through both individual appointments and instructional sessions. In addition, users are more aware of what resources are available, teaching faculty gained an expanded understanding of the library's mission and the expertise of its faculty and staff, the university has been able to utilize financial, time, and material resources more effectively, and librarians have developed a more intimate knowledge of student's needs, our collection, and how to work with datasets.