Academic Data Research Services Alliance: Bridging the Gap between Data and Discovery

Denise Stephens
Associate University Librarian for Public Services
Syracuse University

Beth Forrest Warner
Director, Digital Library Initiatives
University of Kansas

Numeric and spatial data is created, purchased, and stored by various units in universities today. Access and resource efficiencies are not possible without implementing an infrastructure for resource identification and sharing. To facilitate the location, access, and analysis of numeric and spatial data, the University of Kansas has formed the Academic Data Research Services Alliance (ADRSA). ADRSA is a cross-division collaboration of KU units with a shared interest in access to quality data, computation, education, and consulting resources. Coordinated as a project within the KU Digital Library Initiatives (DLI) program, ADRSA is a cooperative venture involving the Libraries, Academic Computing Services (ACS), and the Policy Research Institute (PRI), which leverages expertise in content and computational analysis to better serve the University. KUís approach to data services provides a model that engages a broad campus community efficiently and results in a service that provides improved access and service to clients.