The Accidental Data Scientist: Big Data Applications and Opportunities for Librarians and Information Professionals

by Amy Affelt

Harvard Business Review recently named the data scientist—described as a high-ranking professional with the training and curiosity to make discoveries in the world of Big Data—as "the sexiest job of the 21st century." Librarians and information professionals have always worked with data in order to meet the information needs of their constituents, thus "Big Data" is not a new concept for them though it is spawning new approaches along with a language all its own.

In The Accidental Data Scientist, Amy Affelt shows information professionals how to leverage their skills and training to master emerging tools, techniques, and vocabulary; create mission-critical Big Data research deliverables; and discover rewarding new career opportunities by embracing their inner Data Scientist.

Read more: http://books.infotoday.com/books/Acci...

Genres: Nonfiction, Library Science

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[JP · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're awash in more data than ever before. Who can make sense of this deluge? It's the knowledge workers, especially the modern librarian. I found a lot of useful insights in this guide to help information professionals understand for themselves and then help others in the new world of big data. Affelt is thoughtful in her guidance. She is as well researched on the modern trends as she is experienced in the historical context we're all working from. She explains how the new data resources we have at our disposal are only useful if we know how to use them well. That's always been the case, but the exponential growth in data points requires a different scale and approach in order for us to reach credible insights. She also includes a primer on the latest technologies, including programming systems and search engines for working with big data. In addition to the practical insights, this book also celebrates the increasing value librarians provide as their field evolves yet again.

[San · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I liked the premise - librarians have a bigger role that they can play in this new data world - I find the presentation problematic. I have quibbles with some of the technical definitions (a data warehouse is not just where an organization stores its data) as well as the hints that librarians *could* have played bigger roles in some historical events if they were asked (preventing the Challenger disaster? Really?) I also think that the definition of "data scientist" used here isn't really consistent with what is found in the market for such a title. Most of exposition describes what I would consider to be a data librarian - which is not to be considered a step down from a data scientist but it is a different job.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all library professionals. If I were teaching the management course I would add this as a textbook. School librarians need to understand that they provide services to their school districts (companies) outside of their work with children. This books is packed with ideas and ways that librarians need to embrace the world of data for both their and their patrons needs.

Highly recommended.

[Richfield Branch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned what Big Data is, what it is best used for and what it is not. Summary: use it to surface patterns but don’t apply towards making predictions.
I learned how to approach big problems that require big data and what sources to use (though are some mentioned in this book still around?)

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't finish before it had to go back.