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Survey data and policy shifts push more universities to add data-focused roles
Summary
Presenters cited surveys and recent policy drivers—NIH DMSP and the Nelson memo—that have increased demand for data-management support and showed universities are adding dedicated data-focused positions.
April Hobbs reviewed surveys and literature documenting growth in library data roles. She said a 2019 dataset surveyed 131 R1 universities and that a quoted Journal of Academic Librarianship article "published in September 2025" found AAU libraries had 321 data-focused roles across 71 AAU libraries, with only three AAU libraries lacking a dedicated data role. Hobbs also cited a trend analysis showing more libraries across institution types are starting or expanding data services.
Hobbs characterized a policy-driven 'great u-turn' that began in 2022 when NIH's Data Management and Sharing Policy and the Nelson memo emphasized open access and FAIR data, prompting researchers and institutions to seek more data-management support from libraries. She said the policy landscape, combined with publisher expectations around data sharing, will continue to drive demand for data services and staffing.
