Transforming Library Services for Graduate Students: A Focus on Research Data Services in U.S. Research Universities

Abstract

Graduate students' research support needs have diversified, particularly in research data services. This poster presents a website content analysis of 74 ARL-member research university libraries in the United States. Building upon a 2014 study, 126 service items were coded into seven service areas to examine current library services for graduate students. The findings reveal a notable transformation in academic library services. Among the seven service areas, Data Management (52.8%) and Data Services (51.7%) showed the highest average implementation rates, surpassing traditional service areas. Libraries are increasingly supporting multiple stages of the research data lifecycle through services such as data discovery and access, data analysis support, research data management platforms, guidance and consultation, and data sharing, publication, and reuse. Using an island-based visual map, this poster illustrates how research university libraries are expanding beyond traditional library services to provide comprehensive research data support. The findings offer practical insights for academic libraries seeking to strengthen graduate student support and develop research data services in an increasingly data-driven research environment.