University Data Policies and Library Data Services: Who Owns Your Data?

EDITOR’S SUMMARY: A review of research data and library data services presented on the websites of 206 top research universities as of July 2014 provided insights into policies and practices. Limited to publicly accessible information, the review indicated about half of the surveyed libraries offer some type of data services beyond a resource guide, about four in 10 had a librarian fully or partly dedicated to data management support and about one in 10 had a dedicated data repository. Institutions are likely to have a specific data policy if they are more involved in research and have higher research spending, have larger faculties and offer data services or a data librarian. Significant concern about data ownership and other legal issues is apparent. There is need for broad further development of policies, best practices and education about library data services, with librarians as the appropriate leaders.