http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/18116 http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/39640 The Data Dilemma Stout, Amy Graham, Anne There’s a famous allegory about a map of the world that grows in detail until every point in reality has its counterpoint on paper; the twist being that such a map is at once ideally accurate and entirely useless, since it’s the same size as the thing it’s meant to represent 1. Introduction The proliferation of scientific data is inspiring a paradigm shift in the way we manage information. Scientists frequently use other scientists’ data for their experiments 2, taking a step out of the traditional process known as the scientific method 3. As data is rapidly produced and shared, the results of experiments are practically becoming disseminated as they are collected, speeding up a process that used to take longer 4. With such a wealth of data available, information retrieval has become a critical component of scientific research. Tools like metadata, sophisticated databases and search engines are desperately trying to keep pace with the changing world 5. Furthermore, there are social and legal issues to consider. What data can be shared and disseminated? Who owns data? What about “facts” that have been extracted from years of experimentation or using patented devices? Traditionally, so-called facts have not been copyrightable, resulting in laws that become blurred 6. Another issue affecting data management is how to handle data as an object. Librarians are used to the book/journal model 7. Open Access, a movement that started in the early 1990s in an effort to make published articles freely available to the public, is now extending its reach to data 8. As part of a task force at MIT, librarians interviewed researchers to get their perspectives on data, with the goal of gathering ideas on how to assist the researchers. In addition, librarians are submitting a data set to MIT’s institutional repository, DSpace, in an effort to investigate the technical challenges presented by data storage. This experience will provide insight into the technical and social issues librarians can address with expertise. As librarians become more skilled with data management, they will be able to better advise and assist scientists, opening up new collaborations between librarians and their academic communities. Presented by Amy Stout at ASEE Annual Conference, June 24-27, 2007, Honolulu, HI Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:53:41 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/39091 Automated Validation of Trusted Digital Repository Assessment Criteria Smith, MacKenzie The RLG/NARA trusted digital repository (TDR) certification checklist defines a set of assessment criteria for preservation environments. The criteria can be mapped into data management policies that define how a digital preservation environment is operated. We explore how the enforcement of these management policies can be automated through their characterization as rules that control preservation services. By integrating a rule-based data management system with the DSpace digital archive system, we expect to demonstrate automated audits of the TDR checklist for a defined set of local policies. The system is sufficiently general that one can also demonstrate the completeness and self-consistency of preservation environments. This is the concept that all required preservation metadata are controlled by management policies, and that for each management policy the required preservation metadata are preserved. Wed, 29 Aug 2007 22:58:59 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/38868 Digital Archive Policies and Trusted Digital Repositories Smith, MacKenzie Moore, Reagan W. The MIT Libraries, the San Diego Supercomputer Center, and the University of California San Diego Libraries are conducting the PLEDGE Project to determine the set of policies that affect operational digital preservation archives and to develop standardized means of recording and enforcing them using rules engines. This has the potential to allow for automated assessment of "trustworthiness" of digital preservation archives. We are also evaluating the completeness of other efforts to define policies for digital preservation such as the RLG/NARA Trusted Digital Repository checklist and the PREMIS metadata schema. We present our results to date. Tue, 29 May 2007 22:58:59 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/38867 Envisioning Reference at MIT Gass, Steven Flanagan, Pat Horowitz, Lisa . In the past few years, the MIT Libraries has been focused on how to turn declining reference statistics, new modes of technology, users’ increasing needs and expectations, and constrained staff resources into a robust and valued reference service. A 5-year strategic plan written in 1999 spurred staff to develop a new service based on chat technology, but once the service was established, it was unclear how it fit into the future of reference at MIT. This article describes how library staff worked together to envision a future of reference at MIT that would incorporate the values of reference, the needs of the users, and the infrastructure of the Libraries. The final product was the Reference Vision, which now guides all of our new reference services. Wed, 29 Oct 2003 22:58:59 GMT