Abstract
In communicating library collections data to our stakeholders and administrators, our main goals are to be impactful, to make our points clearly and concisely, and to provide data that can move decisions forward. Accomplishing these goals requires time and creativity to experiment and refine—assets that can be hard to come by for busy librarians. This presentation will provide an introduction to a few easy-to-use data visualization tools and how they can be applied for communicating data about library collections. The main tools included in the overview will be Google Spreadsheets and Tableau Public (including the pros and cons of each) as well as guidance on how to tame Microsoft Excel’s graph design biases. We will also review basic tips to take into account when graphically communicating data on the use and value of library collections to stakeholders. Real world library data such as usage statistics and collection expenditures will be included in the demonstrations of these tools and tips. No programming skills will be needed! By the end of this session, attendees will be equipped with some practical strategies and tools that make it easier to share and make sense of library collections data.
Put it Simply: Tools and Tips for Communicating Library Collections Data
In communicating library collections data to our stakeholders and administrators, our main goals are to be impactful, to make our points clearly and concisely, and to provide data that can move decisions forward. Accomplishing these goals requires time and creativity to experiment and refine—assets that can be hard to come by for busy librarians. This presentation will provide an introduction to a few easy-to-use data visualization tools and how they can be applied for communicating data about library collections. The main tools included in the overview will be Google Spreadsheets and Tableau Public (including the pros and cons of each) as well as guidance on how to tame Microsoft Excel’s graph design biases. We will also review basic tips to take into account when graphically communicating data on the use and value of library collections to stakeholders. Real world library data such as usage statistics and collection expenditures will be included in the demonstrations of these tools and tips. No programming skills will be needed! By the end of this session, attendees will be equipped with some practical strategies and tools that make it easier to share and make sense of library collections data.