UAB Libraries to host national data-science workshops

Written by  Karen Templeton

Kasia Gonnerman 350UAB Libraries Dean Kasia GonnermanUAB has been selected by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) to host a series of virtual spring Library Carpentry workshops to support the development of data-science and computational skills.

Library Carpentry workshops build software and data skills within library and information-related communities to empower individuals to use software and data in their own work and advocate for and train others in efficient, effective data and software practices. UAB will provide technology and expertise to host and help deliver instruction during four online sessions.

“We are proud to be hosting this year’s workshop, and our instructors are preparing to provide a virtual environment to empower researchers and enable data-driven discovery,” said UAB Libraries Dean Kasia Gonnerman. “Our goal is to teach participants to do analyses and manage the process to make it automated and easily duplicated.”

Participation in Library Carpentry workshops is open to any interested individual, including UAB faculty, students and staff and library and information professionals throughout the region. Each workshop session will be limited to 20 participants. Learn more and register online.

UAB Libraries comprises Mervyn H. Sterne Library, which supports teaching and research in the arts and humanities, business, education, engineering, natural sciences and mathematics plus social and behavioral sciences, and Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences, which provides services and resources for users in medicine, nursing, optometry, dentistry, public health, health professions and joint health sciences. 

“Our goal is to teach participants to do analyses and manage the process to make it automated and easily duplicated.”

 “UAB Libraries provide exceptional professional development and training opportunities for library staff and host dynamic faculty-focused workshops,” said UAB Provost Pam Benoit. “Being selected for the Library Carpentry workshop delivery speaks volumes about our system’s expertise, technologies and digital resources. Our libraries are crucial in enabling us to foster our culture of excellence and innovation.”

During the past six years, UAB has increased library funding for scholarly resources by 20 percent and added nine library faculty positions. Aligned with the university’s institutional strategic plan, UAB Libraries has steadily acquired new software and enhanced facilities while remaining user-focused.

The NNLM comprises academic health sciences libraries, hospital, pharmaceutical and other special biomedical libraries, public libraries, information centers and community-based organizations that advance the progress of medicine and improve public health by providing U.S. health professionals with equal access to biomedical information and improving individuals' access to information to enable them to make informed decisions about their health.