Dealing with research data as the basis of academic research is a new field for libraries. Their role and scope in this new field is still being discussed and gains importance within the changing reality of the digital academic research setting. In Anglo-American countries, the concept of information literacy has been broadened and now includes the whole academic research process as well as dealing with research data.
The thesis starts with an overview on the most relevant aspects of managing research data and the broadened concept of information literacy. Analysing which services and structures are being developed and applied in New Zealand in the field of research data management, the thesis then shows which factors and problems have to be considered when setting up these new services. New Zealand with its well-developed tertiary education system can serve as a model here to see which problems have to be taken into account when striving for the same aim in Germany. Structurally and conceptually, the holistic Research Content Ecology model of Lincoln University can serve as an example for the German context on how to establish a university-wide service for the support of research activities and the enhancement of researchers’ information literacy.
Keywords: Research data management, Information literacy, University library, New Zealand