Anita Foster and Gene R. Springs, presenters The Ohio State University Libraries, driven by campus demand, developed and implemented a data resource purchase pilot program that took place over one fiscal year. Having previously only prioritized the purchasing of subject-related data resources on a small scale, this initiative included large data resources, most of which can meet the research and teaching needs of a variety of academic disciplines. Beginning the pilot with very few criteria for selection and potential acquisition, the Collections Strategist and Electronic Resources Officer encountered various challenges along with way, each requiring additional exploration, research, and eventual resolution. As the pilot program proceeded, other criteria emerged as important considerations when examining data resources, particularly for content and licensing. To best develop an understanding of what was learned over the year of this pilot program, the Collections Strategist and Electronic Resources Officer collaborated in writing "data stories," or narratives about each of the data resource options investigated for acquisition. Each narrative is structured similarly, from the requestor and initial stated need through the end result. Any pertinent details regarding content, access, or licensing were incorporated to complete the narratives. The data stories will be further analyzed to track commonalities among both the successful and unsuccessful acquisitions, with the proposed outcome of developing tested criteria for future acquisition of data resources.