Research Libraries as Data Hubs – New Report from the Swiss Science Council SSC
Bern, 09.12.2025 — Reliable knowledge is an essential public good for science and the future prosperity of our society. Research libraries play a central role here. How can these infrastructures be strengthened in the face of current developments in the fields of automation, big data, and artificial intelligence?
The Swiss Science Council SSC is publishing its new report “Research Libraries as Data Hubs” today. It shows how research libraries can become fit for the future as guardians of reliable knowledge and innovative data centres. The report also contains two external contributions on the topics of multi-level governance and international best practices.
For centuries, research libraries have been an indispensable research infrastructure. They collect, preserve and make scientific information and data accessible – and are thus a central pillar of research, teaching and social progress in Switzerland. In times of rapid technological change and growing data volumes, they face the challenge of evolving into data hubs: As such, research libraries manage digital collections and metadata according to the FAIR principles (findability, accessibility, interoperability, reusability) and make intelligent use of new technological possibilities.
The report by the Swiss Science Council SSC makes it clear that research libraries play a key role throughout the entire research cycle and offer a significant contribution to the competitiveness of Swiss higher education institutions. At the same time, this infrastructure faces significant challenges: in addition to securing the historical depth of digital content, coping with technological complexity and safeguarding data sovereignty, staff development, strategic cooperation and sustainable financing must be ensured. Last but not least, the library landscape is confronted with impending funding cuts and a lack of strategic leadership at the national level.
Against this backdrop, the SSC recommends:
- The development of a national strategy for the digital transformation of research libraries by the Swiss Library Network for Education and Research (SLiNER).
- The provision of dedicated funding to strengthen strategic cooperation of research libraries at the national level.
- Stronger integration of research libraries into strategic management and governance bodies of higher education institutions and national organisations.
The full report “Research Libraries as Data Hubs” is now available for download on the Swiss Science Council website:
The report is available in English, with summaries in German, French and Italian. The expert reports by Prof. Dr. J. Philipp Trein and Dr. Ana Petrus are included in English as appendices to the report.