Love Data Week 2026. February 9-13, 2026 • #LoveData26
From February 9-13, 2026, the international community will celebrate Love Data Week, exploring critical questions about data ownership and origins. This year’s theme “Where’s the Data?” challenges us to examine where data comes from and who owns it before we use it in our work. . It’s a theme that opens the door to important conversations about data literacy, stewardship, ethics, and access, while also making space for creative and interactive engagement.
Data doesn’t just appear fully formed. It is gathered, cleaned, interpreted, shared, and preserved through systems and people. Understanding that lifecycle helps us ask better questions:
- Who collects data, and why?
- How is it managed and documented?
- Where is it stored, and who has access?
- What responsibilities come with using it?
Love Data Week is an opportunity to explore these questions whether you’re new to working with data or already deeply engaged in research, teaching, or analysis.
Get Support with Your Data Questions
To celebrate Love Data Week, Colby Libraries is hosting an open data support session:
Date: February 11
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Miller Library Davis Classroom (Miller 104)
Drop in to get help with any data-related needs, including:
- Finding datasets for research or class projects
- Data management planning and organization
- Documentation and metadata practices
- Working with, cleaning, or analyzing data
- Questions about storage, sharing, or preservation
Whether you’re starting a project, troubleshooting a dataset, or thinking about long-term stewardship, library staff will be available to provide guidance and connect you with resources. Cannot make it to the session, email [email protected] or [email protected] for help with locating data, creating datasets, research data management and more!
Stickers + Global Celebration
Love Data Week is an international event, and institutions around the world are participating. You can explore the full roster of global events and activities here:
International Love Data Week Events | ICPSR
If you’re interested in themed materials, you can even print your own Love Data Week stickers, made available by Ashley Rockwell at Georgia State University Library.
Interested in learning more? Explore these resources: