Many libraries are struggling with meeting the needs of their researchers for access to proprietary and open datasets as well as overcoming the challenges related to infrastructure, licensing, archival storage, and technical expertise. One solution is CADRE. This IMLS-funded cloud-based platform makes licensed and open big datasets accessible in multiple ways including an API and a graphical user interface while offering proper authentication, security, stewardship, and storage. By distributing costs across multiple academic libraries, CADRE is able to provide an enhanced environment and user experience at a substantially reduced cost. In addition, a free tier of basic services is available for smaller institutions and the public.
The CADRE platform is currently populated with Web of Science XML data, Microsoft Academic Graph bibliometric data and US Patent data, but other datasets will be introduced to the platform as access rights are obtained and researchers make their needs known. Publishers and others may consider CADRE an attractive option to deposit their datasets in an agnostic text mining environment accessible only to authorized users.
The project is led by Indiana University Libraries in conjunction with the Indiana University Network Science Institute, the Pervasive Technology Institute, and the Big Ten Academic Alliance. Early developmental partners include corporate, non-profit, and academic institutions including: The Web of Science Group, Microsoft Research, Jetstream, University of Iowa, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, Ohio State University, Penn State University, Purdue University, Rutgers University, the Midwest Big Data Hub, the South Big Data Hub, and the West Big Data Hub.
Attendees will gain a better understanding of the advantages and capabilities of CADRE and how their libraries, researchers, and publishing companies can benefit by becoming partners in this collaborative big data project.
