Data librarianship as a field study

Abstract

Abstract Data are generated during all human activities related to digital technology. In recent times, scientific research has increasingly opted for digital data as its primary source of data; data definition changes for different disciplines and researchers. In this context, we study the main characteristics of data librarianship as a specialized field of traditional librarianship concerned with data use in libraries. Our work is organized as follows: First, we present a proposed Venn diagram on the theoretical foundations of data librarianship; then, we point out the core skills needed by data librarians. Based on a non-exhaustive literature review, we point out the main topics of research in data librarianship. We describe the significance of research data, data management, data curatorship, and data repositories. Finally, we list a few certification courses in data librarianship. We conclude that data librarianship plays a dynamic role in the practical application of data technologies in libraries, and that professional development, certification, and training in data librarianship are interdisciplinary tasks linked to digital technologies.