The ARL escience survey in 2009 confirmed how profoundly and quickly technology has transformed research in the sciences. Research in the humanities is being transformed as well. Digital humanities is an emerging field which employs computer-based technologies with the aim of exploring new areas of inquiry in the humanities. Practitioners in the digital humanities draw not only upon traditional writing and research skills associated with the humanities, but also upon technical skills and infrastructure. A number of research institutions host digital scholarship centers or otherwise provide services to help researchers design, produce, disseminate, and maintain digital projects. These centers are often, but not always, located in libraries and incorporate library staff or services into their core programming. Other institutions provide similar services in a less centralized manner. Some services target specifi disciplines; others are multidisciplinary. Some institutional initiatives, such as George Mason University’s Center for History and New Media, are well established, while others are still in the planning phase. This survey was specifically interested in digital scholarship centers or services that support the humanities (e.g., history, art, music, fim, literature, philosophy, religion, etc.) The purpose of the survey was to provide a snapshot of research library experiences with these centers or services and the benefis and challenges of hosting them. It explored the organization of these services, how they are staffed and funded, what services they offer and to whom, what technical infrastructure is provided, whether the library manages or archives the digital resources produced, and how services are assessed, among other questions. The survey was conducted between April 11 and May 13, 2011. Sixty-four of the 126 ARL members completed this survey for a response rate of 51%. Ad Hoc Nature of Service While a great many of the responding libraries do offer support for digital humanities, the survey indicates that they are still developing systematic policies and staffig models for this type of project. In many cases, libraries are piecing together resources from many departments to meet demand as it arises. A number of respondents described their digital humanities support as “a work in progress” or “in development.” Libraries are likewise developing staffig procedures to meet patrons’ needs. While some libraries have staff dedicated to digital humanities, others call on IT staff and librarians as needs arise. Respondents repeatedly described librarians’ roles in digital humanities projects as “ad hoc.” A number of respondents indicated that their institutions were waiting to determine the full level and complexity of demand before fully staffig support for digital humanities. Major Trends While most respondents provide services supporting digital humanities projects, only fie (8%) reported that their library hosts a center specifially dedicated to the fild. Almost half of the respondents (30 or 48%) provide ad hoc services, and almost a quarter (15 or 24%) host a digital scholarship center that provides services to a number of disciplines including humanities. Only four (6%) reported that no digital scholarship services are offered at their institution, although one of these commented that service was scheduled to start in the fall of 2011

Survey Results