Journal of Agricultural Big Data ›› 2025, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (3): 357-370.doi: 10.19788/j.issn.2096-6369.000077

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Processing Personal Information by Data Librarians under Open Science: Challenges, Guidelines, and Security Management Systems

GU LiPing1,2,*(), ZHANG GuangYin1,2, WAN YiJia3   

  1. 1. National Science Library, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190; China
    2. Department of Information Resources Management, School of Economics and Management, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100190, China
    3. Shandong University Library, Jinan 250100, China
  • Received:2024-10-31 Accepted:2025-06-19 Online:2025-09-26 Published:2025-09-28
  • Contact: GU LiPing

Abstract:

In the context of open science deepening research data management practices, data librarians processing personal information need to address legal, ethical, and practical challenges to balance openness and protection. This study aims to provide corresponding guidelines and strategies. This study first systematically reviews the legal and regulatory framework related to personal information protection, as well as relevant core concepts, and explores the unique ethical considerations and practical particularities in research activities. Subsequently, the study conducts an in-depth analysis of the operational norms that data librarians should follow, the major risks they face, and the practical challenges encountered in key processes such as the collection, organization, sharing, and release of personal information. On this basis, and with reference to relevant legal requirements and standards, the study proposes a comprehensive personal information security management framework for data librarians, covering four dimensions: organizational, personnel, physical, and technical. The study finds that data librarians face multiple dilemmas in practice: operational difficulties in applying legal principles to complex research scenarios; meeting ethical requirements that often exceed legal minimums; and reconciling the inherent conflicts between open science and personal information protection. The research highlights that personal information risks permeate the entire data lifecycle and exhibit significant disciplinary differences, underscoring the necessity and urgency of establishing a systematic, multi-dimensional, comprehensive security management system. This study provides data librarians with clear legal boundaries, ethical guidance, and a risk identification framework for processing personal information. The proposed comprehensive security management system can serve as a practical reference, helping to enhance the personal information protection capabilities and compliance levels of both data librarians and their institutions. Thereby, on the basis of safeguarding the rights and interests of data subjects, it promotes the development of responsible and sustainable open science.

Key words: data librarian, personal information protection, open science, research data management, security management system