Data Ethics and Library Assessment
Libraries often advocate for intellectual freedoms, patron’s rights and patron anonymity. But in order to understand users and demonstrate value, we need to collect and analyze data about our patrons. All too often these competing priorities lead to inconsistent methods of data collection, no transparency, and a lack of understanding about the ethical use and handling of data. This presentation will introduce a way to systematically enhance ethical assessment through the adaptation of a data science ethics tool. It will provide examples of issues that arise in the areas of data collection, data storage, analysis, modeling, and deployment.
Speaker
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Ellie KohlerHead, Library Data Analytics and Assessment, Virginia Tech Univerity LibrariesShe/Her
Ellie Kohler is the Head of Library Data Analytics and Assessment at the University Libraries at Virginia Tech. Her research interests include data visualization techniques, data ethics, methods of data communication, and quantitative data analysis.