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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

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Data Going Mainstream

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  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

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