1 / 27

Data Going Mainstream

Data Going Mainstream. Michelle Edwards, Ph.D. DRC Coordinator, University of Guelph DINO Meeting, April 9, 2006. How did the DRC begin?. A growing need for a centralized point of electronic data access was recognized back in 1996

toland
Download Presentation

Data Going Mainstream

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Data Going Mainstream Michelle Edwards, Ph.D. DRC Coordinator, University of Guelph DINO Meeting, April 9, 2006

  2. How did the DRC begin? • A growing need for a centralized point of electronic data access was recognized back in 1996 • The implementation of DLI was driving force behind pitch for the DRC

  3. Started as a Partnership • The DRC started as a partnership in 1997 and remains as a partnership today • Partners recognized the need for the DRC and contributed both expertise and funds

  4. Partners included: • College of Social Sciences (now CSAHS) ►customers and the data research expertise • Computing and Communications Services (CCS) ► technical expertise, computing and funds • Library ► Government publications expertise, office and funds

  5. Where was the DRC? • Office in the basement of the library (Rm 061) • Close to Government Documents • Not very visible

  6. Services offered • Data • Acquisition • Reference • Analysis • Drop-in • Word of mouth

  7. Fast Forward to 2001 • Data Resource Centre staff merged with GovDocs reference staff • Numbers increased from 4 to 7 working with data

  8. GovDocs Merge • All GovDocs staff were trained on data products housed in DRC • Data reference was now conducted at GovDocs reference desk by GovDocs reference staff (5 total – 2 were intial DRC members)

  9. GovDocs Merge • Data analysis remained in the DRC with technical staff who specialized in statistics • Data acquistion – group meetings to determine what was needed outside DLI – DLI contact acquired necessary STC files

  10. Introduction of GIS • The DRC always housed Census GIS files • More GIS data becoming available from other sources • Need for a GIS service for community members not part of typical GIS departments

  11. GIS in the DRC • GIS librarian part of the DRC team • Members of the DRC team training to work with GIS data and customers • CCS analyst dedicated to GIS half-time added to DRC team

  12. Where is the DRC today? • Team of 8 associated with DRC • 2 librarians (GIS and GovDocs) • 3 library associates • 3 CCS analysts (2 stats and 1 GIS) • Part-time • GIS analyst - contract • Student – Nesstar project • Summer student – Nesstar project

  13. Where is the DRC today? • Still in Rm 061 – basement of the library • 5 Staff computers • 2 dedicated to GIS data • 3 Dedicated DRC computers • House standalone data products • House licensed GIS data products • Sign-in access only

  14. Where will we be in Sept ’06? • On the first floor! Behind the Main Reference desk • Larger space – more lab computers • Very Visible!!!

  15. Why the move? • Management has recognized the need to make the DRC more visible – part of the library and CCS’ strategic plan • GovDocs reference is moving to the 1st floor reference desk

  16. What does this mean to DRC? • Perfect time to integrate DRC services with the main library reference services • DRC offering many more services than when it started in 1997 – need to streamline how these are offered

  17. New Reference Model • Tiered approach to DRC services • Tier I • Main reference desk staff – which includes a GovDocs member • Broad understanding of data holdings • Show student where to go for data – webpage and DRC

  18. New Reference Model • Tier II • All DRC staff • Help find appropriate data for client – be familiar with and be able to use accompanying metadata – for both statistical and geospatial data • Be familiar with B2020 products

  19. New Reference Model • Tier II cont’d • Be familiar with GIS software packages and be able to import data • Be familiar with basic geoprocessing • Be familiar with different data licenses

  20. New Reference Model • Tier III - Specialist tasks • Data (3 team members) • help downloading and subsetting • Be familiar with survey weights • Be familiar with linking different surveys • Synthetic files and RDC process • Statistical analysis

  21. New Reference Model • Tier III - Specialist tasks • GIS (4 team members) • Provide assistance with map creation • Provide assistance with advanced mapping features • Linking data products – DMTI vs. Census

  22. Where will it be? • Behind the oak wall on the 1st floor • Construction due to start May 1st and be completed mid July • Move in and setup for Fall semester

  23. New DRC Layout Plan

  24. What’s Next? • Training staff to match Tier support level expectations • Train DRC staff for Tier II support • Train Main Reference Staff Tier I support for both DRC and GovDocs reference

  25. What’s Next? • In the future – full integration with the Statistical Computing Services offered by CCS with the DRC • With staff overlap this is already starting

  26. Conclusion The DRC has come a long way… From a pilot project in 1996 To a room in the basement of the library with 8 people in 2001

  27. Conclusion To a new facility on the first floor of the library with integrated reference service

More Related