The DataQ Story

Abstract

EDITOR'S SUMMARY

Longstanding frustration about the single-purpose use of valuable data led author Andrew Johnson to a career in librarianship, a focus on scientific data curation and, ultimately, creation with colleague Megan Bresnahan of the DataQ project. Johnson's concerns about research data management being a silo within the profession were overcome with the realization that many librarians, especially those at smaller institutions, saw the need for effective curation but felt untrained and unequipped to deal with it. DataQ was established as a service and resource for library personnel to ask questions on data curation and learn through expanding group knowledge. Launched in August 2015, the project draws on a team of 15 editors and additional support members and has been widely and positively received. Funding by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Greater Western Library Alliance and others will help expand the effort to provide an important service to the library community.