Social Sciences and Clark Library

The Social Sciences and Clark Library team members are subject librarians, liaisons, and domain specialists with expertise in the social sciences, government information, maps, GIS, and spatial and numeric data. We partner with programs and departments on campus to enhance teaching, learning, and research activities through impactful access to library collections and services. Collectively, we offer expertise across all phases of the research lifecycle, from funding and literature searches to research data management to dissemination and impact.

Social Sciences team

Librarians on the Social Sciences team are subject specialists and liaisons to academic schools and departments in the social sciences. We develop our library collections in these subject areas, provide reference and research support through consultations and instruction, and collaborate with researchers across disciplines. We have deep knowledge of many online social science tools and resources.

Clark Library

We consult with researchers who need help finding and using datasets, GIS (geographic information systems) and mapping tools; want to create data visualizations; and work with census data, statistics, and other government information. 

We curate and provide access to our vast collection of early modern and modern maps and atlases, many of which are available in our U-M Clark Library Maps digital collection. 

We are involved in a variety of projects and initiatives. One recent effort is a guide focusing on anti-racism within the context of Southeast Michigan.

Ongoing work includes a discussion around research impact, qualitative research methods and tools, foundation and grant funding, licensing data for use by all U-M scholars, collaborating on the BTAA Geoportal and developing international data workshops. 

Our team members have collaborated on a variety of projects. Examples include:

• Library as Research Lab (IMLS)
• Developing a Data Trust for Open Ebook Usage (Mellon Foundation)
• Visualizing the Future (IMLS)
• University of Michigan DEIA Data Toolkit