Data stories: Using narratives to reflect on a data purchase pilot program

Abstract

Acquiring research data by university libraries is a difficult process to manage. It involves difficulties in identifying data available for purchase, funding data purchases, and getting acceptable licensing terms. During fiscal year 2017, the administration of The Ohio State University Libraries issued a strategic focus collection area mandate to acquire research data sets that could be used by the entire university population for various research needs. This article describes the institutional background that led to this strategy mandate, how the Libraries responded, and a pilot purchase program for research data sets developed through a collaboration between the Libraries’ Collections Strategist and Electronic Resources Officer. It will also discuss potential workflows for collection development and acquisitions for potential future purchases of research data sets.