Data citation can clarify data accountability, establish data credits, and promote data sharing, reusing and impact assessment, but technical, institutional and cultural issues are there to interfere the job. This paper analyzes the advantages of academic libraries in promoting data citations. Considering the existing relevant work，it proposes four roles in data citation work: the makers of citation specifications, the providers of citation services, the advocates of citation, and the developers of citation tools. Finally, suggestions are made for libraries to emphasize the importance of data citation, actively promote cooperation among stakeholders, improve the data literacy curriculum system, and promote the construction of the legal system for the development of academic libraries in China.