2017 Charleston Library Conference

Due to a surging wave of interest around interdisciplinary research data on campus, The Ohio State University Libraries (OSUL) deployed a research data purchase pilot program during fiscal year 2017. Suggested research data resources for potential purchase were recommended by campus researchers and subject librarians alike. Three of the purchases required local hosting of the data; while previously done on a smaller scale, working through the internal requirements and processes for both acquiring and hosting data unearthed many learning opportunities for both librarians and vendors. These areas included pricing, licensing, technological considerations, access, user support, and assessment, both internal and external to our library organization.

Panelists for this session include two librarians from OSUL who managed the pilot program, as well as vendor representatives from the two companies that produce the data that were purchased and required local hosting. Together, panelists will highlight notable aspects of these processes from each perspective, hoping to establish a dialogue around future best practices.

In this panel discussion you will learn about the opportunities and challenges encountered during this pilot program, from both the library and vendor perspectives, as well as an approach to establish your own best practices around purchasing data. Audience members will have an opportunity to engage with the panel during a question and answer period.