The UCLA Library has officially closed its Data Science Center as part of an effort to consolidate services within its research unit. This change took effect in August, marking a significant restructuring initiative aimed at improving efficiency in light of budgetary challenges.
A spokesperson for the UCLA Library confirmed that the Data Science Center, previously located in the Charles E. Young Research Library, has been integrated into the library’s broader research services department. This decision aligns with the university’s strategic plan for 2023-28, which focuses on enhancing research capabilities and increasing operational efficiency.
The Data Science Center was known for providing data consulting and analysis services, catering to the needs of students, faculty, and researchers. It housed the UCLA Dataverse, a repository for UCLA research projects, and maintained the Social Science Data Archive, which includes a variety of public datasets.
Tim Dennis, the former director of the Data Science Center, expressed concern about the future of the center’s work, particularly regarding data storage and archiving. He noted that the new research services unit seems to prioritize assistance with new research over the long-term responsibilities traditionally handled by the Data Science Center. Dennis, who remains employed by the UCLA Library, is awaiting clarification on his new role.
Among the specific changes, the center has ceased providing drone software kits and disbanded its DataSquad, a team of undergraduate students engaged in research projects. Dennis emphasized the importance of the library’s role in maintaining the scholarly communication of the university, a responsibility he fears may be diminished under the new structure.
UCLA Library’s restructuring is also aimed at streamlining communication across various specialized departments. Dennis highlighted the library’s critical function in managing the entire lifecycle of data, from collection to analysis and publication, and questioned how these services will be supported within the new research-oriented framework.
Neha Shome, a fourth-year cognitive science student, shared her experience visiting the Data Science Center for assistance with data collection and analysis related to an internship. She described the center as an invaluable resource for those needing support with data science tasks.
The UCLA Library has indicated that the restructuring is intended to facilitate better communication and service delivery across its units, although the impact on specific services previously provided by the Data Science Center remains to be fully understood.
