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# System prepended metadata

title: Introduction
tags: [liber-dslib]

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tags: liber-dslib
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# Introduction

The [LIBER Data Science in Libraries (DSLib) working group](https://libereurope.eu/working-group/liber-data-science-in-libraries-working-group/) explores and promotes library engagement in applying data science and analytical methods in libraries, taking into account all kinds of processes and workflows around library collections and metadata as well as digital infrastructures and service areas.

This working group operates as part of LIBER’s Strategic Direction on [Research Infrastructure](https://libereurope.eu/strategy/research-infrastructures), which in turn is one of the key pillars of our [2018-2022 Strategy](https://libereurope.eu/strategy/).

Libraries are data-rich environments and present vast opportunities for applying data science and analytical methods. These activities and initiatives emerge at the overlap between data and information sciences as well as disciplinary domains which build research questions based on digital collections.

We are already seeing investment in analytical capacity and skills, in particular, related to mining and annotating collections, enriching (meta)data, monitoring scholarly communication and publication behaviour and related spendings, providing infrastructure and support for text and data mining of library collections, developing training opportunities for librarians and students, etc.

## Goals

Areas foreseen to be investigated by the working group may include but are not limited to:

- Identify and analyse key initiatives and projects across Europe and beyond;
- Explore how data science methods and tools can be tailored to library-specific environments and requirements;
- Identify good practices as well as challenges and gaps;
- Evaluate methods and strategies for skills and capacity development.
