THE CHALLENGE OF e-SCIENCE FOR THE CHALLENGE OF e-SCIENCE FOR RESEARCH LIBRARIESRESEARCH LIBRARIES

Reg CarrReg Carr

CURL Members’ MeetingCURL Members’ Meeting

Dublin, 26 March 2004Dublin, 26 March 2004

WHAT IS e-SCIENCE?WHAT IS e-SCIENCE?

““e-Science is about global collaboration in key e-Science is about global collaboration in key areas of big science and the next generation of areas of big science and the next generation of infrastructure that will enable it” infrastructure that will enable it”

(Dr John Taylor, Director General of the UK (Dr John Taylor, Director General of the UK Research Councils)Research Councils)

THE CHALLENGE OF e-SCIENCE FOR THE CHALLENGE OF e-SCIENCE FOR RESEARCH LIBRARIESRESEARCH LIBRARIES

The background and the driversThe background and the drivers The ‘stuff’ itself The ‘stuff’ itself ‘ ‘Getting on board’Getting on board’ The big questionsThe big questions The enduring conundrumsThe enduring conundrums

THE CHALLENGE OF e-SCIENCE FOR THE CHALLENGE OF e-SCIENCE FOR RESEARCH LIBRARIES RESEARCH LIBRARIES

(1) The background and the drivers(1) The background and the drivers

The massive national investmentThe massive national investment The Research GridThe Research Grid e-Science as part of e-Researche-Science as part of e-Research The institutional involvementThe institutional involvement The new JISC StrategyThe new JISC Strategy The RSLG e-Science sub-group reportThe RSLG e-Science sub-group report The RSLG/RLN agenda?The RSLG/RLN agenda?

THE CHALLENGE OF e-SCIENCE FOR THE CHALLENGE OF e-SCIENCE FOR RESEARCH LIBRARIES RESEARCH LIBRARIES

(2) The ‘stuff’ itself(2) The ‘stuff’ itself

Quantity: ‘The Data Deluge’Quantity: ‘The Data Deluge’ Quality: raw data galoreQuality: raw data galore Formats: an infinite varietyFormats: an infinite variety Metadata: the ‘control’ challengeMetadata: the ‘control’ challenge Search & delivery: the infrastructure issueSearch & delivery: the infrastructure issue Curation: the archiving enormityCuration: the archiving enormity

THE CHALLENGE OF e-SCIENCE FOR THE CHALLENGE OF e-SCIENCE FOR RESEARCH LIBRARIES RESEARCH LIBRARIES

(3) ‘Getting on board’(3) ‘Getting on board’

The communities of originThe communities of origin The Research CouncilsThe Research Councils The e-Science Core ProgrammeThe e-Science Core Programme The language: the semantic challengeThe language: the semantic challenge Upskilling issuesUpskilling issues Political and PR issuesPolitical and PR issues Funding!Funding! A local or national approach?A local or national approach?

THE CHALLENGE OF e-SCIENCE FOR THE CHALLENGE OF e-SCIENCE FOR RESEARCH LIBRARIES RESEARCH LIBRARIES

(4) The big questions(4) The big questions

To get involved, or not?To get involved, or not? All of us, or some?All of us, or some? Collaboratively, or individually?Collaboratively, or individually? Can we afford it?Can we afford it? Can we afford not to?Can we afford not to? Who, how, when?Who, how, when?

THE CHALLENGE OF e-SCIENCE FOR THE CHALLENGE OF e-SCIENCE FOR RESEARCH LIBRARIES RESEARCH LIBRARIES

(5) The enduring conundrums(5) The enduring conundrums

Are we up for it?Are we up for it? Can we add value?Can we add value? Will ‘they’ let us/want us to?Will ‘they’ let us/want us to? Should it be our job?Should it be our job? If not us, then who?If not us, then who? Discuss!Discuss!