Data Going Mainstream

Michelle Edwards, Ph.D.DRC Coordinator,University of GuelphDINO 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

The implementation of DLI was driving force behind pitch for the DRC

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

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

Where was the DRC?

Office in the basement of the library (Rm 061)

Close to Government Documents

Not very visible

Services offered

Data AcquisitionReferenceAnalysis

Drop-in Word of mouth

Fast Forward to 2001

Data Resource Centre staff merged with GovDocs reference staff

Numbers increased from 4 to 7 working with data

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)

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

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

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

Where is the DRC today?

Team of 8 associated with DRC2 librarians (GIS and GovDocs)3 library associates3 CCS analysts (2 stats and 1 GIS)

Part-timeGIS analyst - contractStudent – Nesstar projectSummer student – Nesstar project

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 productsHouse licensed GIS data productsSign-in access only

Where will we be in Sept ’06?

On the first floor! Behind the Main Reference desk

Larger space – more lab computers

Very Visible!!!

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

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

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

New Reference Model

Tier IIAll DRC staffHelp 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

New Reference Model

Tier II cont’dBe familiar with GIS software packages and

be able to import dataBe familiar with basic geoprocessingBe familiar with different data licenses

New Reference Model

Tier III - Specialist tasksData (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

New Reference Model

Tier III - Specialist tasksGIS (4 team members)

Provide assistance with map creation Provide assistance with advanced mapping

features Linking data products – DMTI vs. Census

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

New DRC Layout Plan

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

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

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

Conclusion

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