With the recent transition of diverse knowledge and information into digital data, the importance of data curation, the systematic management and preservation of data in libraries, is increasingly highlighted. In this context, a data librarian can be ...
With the recent transition of diverse knowledge and information into digital data, the importance of data curation, the systematic management and preservation of data in libraries, is increasingly highlighted. In this context, a data librarian can be defined as a librarian dedicated to data-related tasks within a library. The duties and responsibilities of a data librarian extend beyond the simple collection and storage of data. They encompass the entire data lifecycle, including long-term preservation to enable data sharing and reuse for future research. Consequently, the importance of data librarians is growing in Korean libraries, and the need for a systematic understanding of the specific job requirements required to perform these duties is emerging.
This study employed three methods to identify the job requirements of data librarians in the field. First, 150 job postings for data librarians in the United States were collected and content analyzed to identify the characteristics of international job demands. Second, in-depth interviews were conducted with five current data librarians and data-related staff in Korea to identify the actual tasks and contexts of the job. Third, to reflect the perceptions and needs of the domestic field, a survey was conducted among librarians at public and national university libraries. To this end, an email survey was sent to 805 librarians working at 52 member universities. Of the 723 valid responses, 86 (11.9%) were used in the final analysis.
This study included both data librarians and librarians responsible for data-related tasks. The results are as follows.
First, the job descriptions of data librarians in international job postings were derived from multidimensional requirements, including data service operation, research support, technology and system-based services, education and training, ethical management, and technical competency (utilizing analytical tools such as Python and R). Second, interviews with domestic practitioners revealed that data librarians' responsibilities included research performance management, data refinement and quality control, metadata construction, and repository operation. Furthermore, data librarians facilitate collaboration between researchers and IT developers, and the need for automation of repetitive tasks and the lack of systematic training were identified as challenges. Third, the position of data librarian does not exist in many public and private university libraries in Korea, and a significant number of librarians lack awareness of the concept itself. However, the majority of respondents recognized the need for data librarians to manage research outcomes, prepare for the AI era, and strengthen library competitiveness. However, some expressed skepticism, citing overlapping duties, staff shortages, and institutional deficiencies. Finally, a comparative analysis of international job postings, domestic interviews, and surveys revealed a common understanding that data librarians are not simply data managers but core personnel in research support and data-based services. This suggests that while the data librarian position possesses a specialized framework both internationally and theoretically, it is still in its infancy in Korea, where the institutional foundation and widespread awareness are insufficient. Therefore, we concluded that strengthening education and training systems, expanding staffing, and providing policy support are necessary to institutionalize the role of data librarian.