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While some Canadian universities have a long history in the provision of data services, that was not the norm in Canada, especially in small universities and colleges. To maximize the use of data by students and researchers in academia, it was evident that increased education, resources, and tools were required to support those delivering data services on their campuses. To this end, the Data Liberation Initiative (DLI) Survival Guide was designed as a comprehensive reference tool, which complements an established regional training curriculum, whereby enabling librarians to effectively fulfill their role as a DLI Contact in their academic institutions. This case study will examine the history, current state, and recommended future direction of the Survival Guide. This article will also examine the challenges in understanding the drivers shaping academic service delivery and the ways in which the guide has evolved to remain current to the needs of the Canadian data community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports collaborative research study from a small university. Twenty-seven faculty members were interviewed to determine attitudes and behaviors pertaining to using data in the classroom and whether easier access to secondary data allows for integration into a broader range of courses. The results of this study suggest a lack of awareness and skill deficits among faculty. These findings provide insights for librarians interested in working with faculty in supporting and promoting the use of open data online analysis, along with traditional quantitative data services in the social sciences and professional disciplines. Preliminary strategies developed in the year following this research study are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]