An Infographic Is Worth a Thousand Words: Using Data Visualization to Engage Faculty in Collection Strategies

Like the rest of us, faculty are less likely to read a table of data than to engage with a pictorial representation of the same information. Using words and visuals together has been proven to increase understanding and interest. This paper will describe recent efforts at Hamilton College to engage our stakeholders, especially faculty, in the assessment, analysis, and development of our library collections. Using graphs, charts, and other visual representations, we effectively presented our current state, acquisitions history, trends in checkouts and electronic hits, and budget allocation. Included here is a summary of the types of data chosen to present, as well as several modes of display. Also presented is the discussion process, starting with the library faculty committee, moving to the faculty department heads, and eventually meeting with individual departments. This progression resulted in conversations with engaged faculty about our collections and how they support the curriculum at our institution. Readers will find practical ideas on using graphic visual representations of their data to engage their stakeholders in the collection activities of their libraries.