Navigating data visualization: service landscapes and librarian roles in academic libraries

Purpose Under the dual influence of external data environments and growing internal demands, data visualization (DV) has become a crucial component of library services, introducing new trends in library practices. This study aims to: i) evaluate data visualization services (DVS) in Chinese academic libraries and ii) analyse the evolving roles and responsibilities of librarians within this context. Design/methodology/approach This exploratory study is based on an environmental scan of websites from academic libraries in China’s top-tier universities. Using purposive sampling, data were collected through semi-structured interviews from 24 experienced librarians across 16 academic libraries and analysed thematically using NVivo. Findings The findings reveal that libraries’ DVS practices are evolving to accommodate a broader user base, with librarians’ roles becoming more multidimensional, including stewards, trainers, collaborators and advocates. Emerging responsibilities, such as enriching DV resources, guiding users in data interpretation, developing users’ DV skills and promoting data-driven innovation, have become more prominent. Practical implications This research provides valuable insights into the evolving roles of librarians in the age of open data, while offering practical guidance and inspiration for libraries and librarians keen to implement DVS to support such initiatives. It assists libraries in better meeting user needs and promotes data-driven innovation. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the practice of DVS in Chinese academic libraries. The findings affirm the importance of DVS and offer practicable strategies to strengthen its implementation, which pave the way for future studies on library services and librarian competencies in DV-related fields.