Trends and changes in academic libraries' data management functions: A topic modeling analysis of job advertisements

Abstract

In the era of open science, academic libraries have transitioned from traditional resource providers to proactive platforms that drive data integration and knowledge innovation. This shift has led to the continuous evolution and expansion of their data management functions. This study aims to (i) track trends in academic library data management positions, (ii) identify key themes in job advertisements related to data management, and (iii) examine how these themes have evolved. Using text mining techniques, this study applied Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) and TF-IDF vectorization to systematically analyze 803 job advertisements related to data management posted on the IFLA LIBJOBS platform from 1996 to 2023. The findings reveal that the development of these positions has undergone three phases: exploration, growth, and adjustment. Four core themes in data management functions emerged: “Cataloging and Metadata Management,” “Data Services and Support,” “Research Data Management,” and “Systems Management and Maintenance.” Over time, these themes have evolved from distinct roles to a more balanced distribution. Technological advancements, political initiatives, and shifts in the global data environment have influenced these trends. Notably, the rising demand for “Systems Management and Maintenance” highlights its critical role in ensuring data security, while the sustained need for “Cataloging and Metadata Management” underscores its foundational place in data management strategies. Meanwhile, the steady growth of “Data Services and Support” and “Research Data Management” reflects the adaptability and strategic adjustments of academic libraries in response to the rapidly changing information landscape. These insights offer valuable empirical evidence for library leaders and policymakers in strategic planning and capacity development, ensuring that libraries can effectively navigate the challenges of a dynamic research environment.