Bit by Byte: Building Best Practices in Data Literacy

Abstract

Data-related jobs are among some of the fastest growing in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for data scientists is likely to grow by more than 30% by 2030 (Kness, 2022). Even if students don’t choose a data science career, data skills are becoming more and more in demand across several professions, from marketing to the health sciences. Increasingly, "digital technologies and data systems play central roles" in our lives and in society (Raffaghelli & Stewart, 2020, p.435).

In order to jumpstart data skills at Towson University, LIS professionals at the Albert S. Cook Library sought to incorporate and support data skills and proficiencies through several different approaches over time.