Data Provision in a Small Library

Or:

Making something out of nothing

Garth Homer

Okanagan University College

ACCOLEDS/DLI Training

December 5th, 2001

Outline

• Establishing priorities.

• defining the key components.

• managing and developing the service.

• coping with prolonged exposure to data

Establishing priorities

• Who provides the service ?

• Who gets the service?

• When is the service available?

• How is the service provided?

• Will you be the only data contact?

• What role will reference librarians play?

• How will computer support factor into the

picture?

• If a research officer exists what role will

he/she play?

• Do you control the money?

Who provides the service?

Who gets the service?

• Any library users, upper level students, researchers only, faculty only?

• What skills should users have prior to the acquisition of data?

• How do you determine who is eligible under the DLI agreement?

When is the service available?

• Is the an on demand service?

• How much lead time is required for data requests?

• How much time in a working day/week can you devote to this service?

• Are there times of the year when this service cannot be provided?

How is the service to be provided?

• Are there hardware and software provisions that must be in place?

• Are there LAN issues to be resolved?

• Where is data to be stored and for how long?

• How do you keep track of who has what?

Defining the key components

• Define and promote only what is possible.

• set up safety nets.

• look for allies.

• Managing and developing your service.

Define and promote only what is possible

• If possible start with users you know.

• start small, say little, and gain confidence.

• get to know your users research needs before delving in the data.

• advertise and promote only what you are sure you can deliver.

• communicate what skills you have and those you do not possess.

Set up safety nets

• Be sure the data does not exist in another format.

• Be aware of other data sites that can do the work for you.

• look for in house experts (e.g. SPSS).

• establish relationships with the data dudes and the data goddesses.

Look for allies

• Train reference staff to handle routine data questions ( e.g. B20/20).

• Start to build a statistics page to cover all the available data sources.

• Get a mentor and hold on tight.

• Empower you clients to do as much as is possible themselves.

Managing and developing your service (1)

• Monitor the use, document successes and failures.

• Share successes with colleagues, keep management informed.

• Drop what does not work or is under-utilized. (do this quickly)

• Shamelessly copy the successes of other DLI colleagues.

Managing and developing your service (2)

• Follow the DLI list-serv even if it makes very little sense to you.

• Use the DLI network and do not be afraid to ask questions. I have asked all the stupid ones for you.

• Attend meeting they are the best way to make it all work.

Coping with the results of prolonged exposure to data

After DLIBefore DLI

Garth Homer,

Public Services Librarian Okanagan University College

Ghomer@ouc.bc.ca