Towards A Global Data Service
Some Perspectives from IASSISTDecember 9, 2005
Presented by
Ernie BoykoPresidentIASSIST
Congratulations from
Congratulations to the Russian Sociological Data Archive for five years of operation…from
IASSIST Canada* Canada’s Data Liberation Initiative
*Canada does not have a data archive
Outline
About IASSIST IASSIST’s Goals and Membership IASSIST Milestones Looking at the future The Evolution of Data Archives Conclusions
About IASSIST
IASSIST is an international organization of professionals working with information technology and data services to support research and teaching in the social sciences.
IASSIST’s Goals
to foster and promote a network of excellence for data service delivery
to advance infrastructure in the social sciences
to provide opportunities for collegial exchange of sound professional practices
IASSIST Members
Its 200 members work in a varietyof settings:
data archives statistical agencies research centers Libraries academic departments government departments non-profit organizations.
IASSIST Committees and Action Groups Administrative Committee Education Committee Membership Committee Publications Committee International Outreach Strategic Planning Data Documentation and Citation
Interest Group
Selected IASSIST Milestones Planning its 32nd annual conference to
be held in Ann Arbor Michigan, May 22-26, 2006
Over 200 members from United States, Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Africa
Annual training and workshops Founding member and supporter of the
Data Documentation Initiative (DDI)
Selected IASSIST Milestones cont’d
Outreach program- funded 47 attendees at IASSIST conferences
Has sent its experts to other countries
Stays at the forefront of data service initiatives
What kind of a Future is IASSIST working towards?
IASSIST’s three main strategic directions for are Advocacy, Outreach, and Education.
Strategic Direction-Advocacy
Engage in Advocacy on Issues of Importance to IASSIST:
Advocate on Issues of Access to Data Issues of Documentation of Data Issues of Digital Preservation
Strategic Direction-Outreach
Outreach to Current and Potential Members of IASSIST and to Related Data Organizations To Foster Active Participation in IASSIST Promotion Campaign to Increase
Awareness of and Membership in IASSIST Collaborations and Strategic Alliances
with Related Organizations
Strategic Direction-Education Improve and Expand the Educational
Component of IASSIST both Internally and Externally Continue and Improve Professional
Development and Educational Opportunities for IASSIST members
Reach out to new members through IASSIST education initiatives
Expand IASSIST's Educational Mission to include Advocacy
The evolution of Data Archives
Data Archives are an essential component of the road to a Global Data Service
It is all about building bridges To data To people To organizations
Building Bridges to Data
Preserve data in archival format Document data using metadata
standards Transform data into useful formats Negotiate access conditions for end-
users Continue research about data
access
Building Bridges to Organizations
Network with data producers Challenge practices that reward
data hoarding or put data at risk Debate issues that act as barriers
to access Promote the creation of new data
archives internationally
Building Bridges to People
Take advantage of training venues for data librarians and archivists
Support staff in new data archives just getting off the ground
Engage in dialogue with contacts in other sciences concerned about long term access to scientific research data
Building Bridges cont’d
Strong data archives require well trained and confident people
IASSIST is all “about people” We welcome more delegates to
IASSIST conferences Should we try to organize an
international data service seminar in Eastern Europe?
In Conclusion IASSIST applauds the progress made by
the Russian Sociological Data Archive- may you continue to grow and to prosper!
IASSIST remains committed to international outreach and education
There are a number of data organizations that would enjoy more contact with Russian colleagues
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