Who is Teaching Data: Meeting the Demand for Data Professionals

Abstract

As data has become critical to our everyday lives, a growing concern with the skills gap required to exploit the data surfeit has arisen; library and information science practitioners and educators have recognized this concern. This paper is intended to identify current trends in library and information science education in response to the rising demand for data professionals. To provide a detailed map of the content of the current curriculum, academic programs and courses that support a data-driven workforce offered by library schools in North America were reviewed. The results of this analysis indicates that various topics are being offered to address skills gaps for data professionals, but there are still insufficient opportunities for students to develop the depth and breadth of knowledge and skills needed to be highly capable data professionals. It is suggested that cross-disciplinary and/or cross-institutional collaboration may be an efficient way to enhance and develop educational and training opportunities for data professionals.