Feature Friday: Meet Your New Data Services Librarian

Posted September 12, 2024 in Feature Friday, Featured News, JMU Libraries News

JMU faculty, staff, and students, if you are trying to figure out how to manage your research data, we’d like to introduce you to someone.

photo of Sam Harmon, a professionally dressed woman smiling at a faculty member

Meet your new data services librarian! Samantha Harmon (M ‘22) joined the team in JMU Libraries in April 2024. She graduated from JMU in 2022 with a Master of Arts in Psychological Sciences Quantitative Psychology and worked as an Assessment and Program Evaluation Specialist in another office at JMU before joining us in the Libraries.

Let’s get to know Samantha!

What’s one thing about data services that you think would surprise people?

photo of Sam smiling in a brightly lit room holding an open notebook

I was surprised at how much data services are about communication and teamwork. Many hear “data” and think “number-crunching.” That may be true for other data fields, but my work is about connecting with people from all sorts of fields and helping them make sense of their data. I get to work with physicists, historians, and everyone in between, figuring out the best ways to manage and store their data so it’s easy to find and use again. It’s almost like being a detective and a translator at the same time. Seeing how good data practices can really impact a project is incredibly rewarding and makes the job a lot of fun!

What’s one myth about data management that you’d love to bust?

A lot of people think it’s overly time-consuming, but investing time in the beginning saves time and frustration later. Setting up good data management practices from the start helps avoid chaos and ensures your data is organized and accessible when you need it, without the hassle of searching through a mess. It’s all about balance and making sure your efforts in data management pay off in efficiency and accuracy down the line.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone new to data management, what would it be?

My advice would be to start small. With time, patience, and practice, you’ll get more comfortable and can start tackling more complex projects.

What’s one thing you wish more people knew about the importance of data literacy?

I wish more people knew how relevant data literacy is in our daily lives. It’s not just about numbers and graphs—it’s about knowing how the information we interact with every day affects us. Whether you’re a student or someone in a professional field, having strong data literacy skills means you can navigate through the sea of information and make informed decisions. It’s about being aware of what data we share and use ourselves, and also understanding what’s being collected about us. By understanding this, we can protect our privacy, make better choices, and even play a role in shaping the rules around data use. It’s like waking up from a digital slumber—we should all be active participants in this data-driven world, not just passive spectators.

How do you make data management and literacy engaging for students and faculty?

photo of Sam, a professionally dressed woman standing by a whiteboard with two faculty seated at a desk

Discussing recent data breaches grabs attention because it shows the immediate relevance of data security. Examples from TV shows like “Black Mirror” and even “South Park” that touch on data issues resonate with students because they connect to everyday situations. My hope would be that integrating such examples into teaching and consultations shows students and faculty that data literacy isn’t just a theoretical concept. Instead, it’s something that affects them personally and professionally. This approach not only keeps them engaged but also encourages critical thinking and discussion around data ethics and management practices.

But I also make data management engaging for students and faculty by tailoring content to their needs and responding to their feedback. I approach it as a collaborative process.

How do you unwind after a day of diving deep into data and scholarly communications?

photo of Sam dressed informally riding in a car with her dog in the back seat

Depending on how my Australian shepherd is feeling (he’s quite the character!), I might spend some quality time with him. When I’m not wrangling him, I like to mix it up with dance or yoga classes. They help me stay balanced while also getting a good workout in. I also enjoy hanging out with loved ones, whether we’re cooking together, catching up over coffee, or just enjoying each other’s company. These moments really recharge me and keep me grounded.

What’s your favorite local restaurant or attraction?

My favorite restaurant is (was) BoBoKo, which unfortunately just closed at the end of June. If I had to pick a runner-up, it would be Mashita. I am a huge fan of Asian cuisine!

Contact

If you need help with managing research data or would like Samantha to speak to your class about data management and data literacy, don’t hesitate to contact Samantha Harmon.

Learn More

Feel free to explore our data management guides at your own pace for more information:

This story is part of our Feature Friday Q&A series. If you know of a person or project connected with JMU Libraries that you’d like to feature, contact us at libraries@jmu.edu.