Geographic information systems: tools for displaying in-library use data

Riggs, Michelle



Mandel, L. H. (2010, March). Geographic information systems: tools for displaying in-library use data. Information Technology and Libraries, 29(1), 47+. Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A219899076/PROF?u=pott50179&sid=PROF&xid=ddd226bd


Mandel examines the benefit of using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to graphically represent the use of physical space in a library to justify funding and the overall value of the library. He recommends creating a map of the library and then using the “seating sweeps” method throughout the day to record how and when various locations are being used (socialization, reading, research, etc.) This data can then be represented graphically, which aides clarity and understanding. The data can also be used for targeted marketing of library services and materials by determining the most highly-trafficked areas of the library and placing marketing tools (signage, displays, etc.) there.


I found this article to be thought-provoking. Most libraries use circulation statistics, sign-in data, and program attendance as means of library-use data collection; however, it never would have occurred to me to track use of the physical space itself. This absolutely has value as a means of proving the value of various library resources and as a justification for funding needs. Presenting the data graphically is an excellent and effective idea, as in my experience, administrators never have time (or desire?) to read detailed reports. If they can look at a graphic and get the information quickly, it has the capability to have a far greater effect.

Crash Course: Data and Infographics

Young, Christina

CrashCourse. (2019.February 26) . Data & Infographics: Crash Course

Navigating Digital Information #8 [Video file]. Retrieved from:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiND50qfCek

Summary: This is the eighth episode of the current Crash Course series,

“Navigating Digital Information”. It looks at data and infographics to

show how data can be represented and misrepresented. It is geared to

a high school audience.

Major takeaways:

-data needs to be accurate & relevant

-sources need to be reliable

-data needs to be represented honestly and contextually

Evaluation: I have really been enjoying the new Crash Course “Navigating

Digital Information“ series and this week’s episode seemed especially pertinent

to our class because we will soon be working on visual representations of our

collections. This youtube video discusses how visual representations can be used

to enhance or obscure an information consumer’s understanding of data.

One example is the National Review and the Washington Post using the same

NASA data to represent climate change.

(CrashCourse, 2019)

   The chart on the left, billed by the National Review as “the only climate change

chart you’ll ever need”,makes it look like the climate hasn’t been warming by

using a y axis of values between -10º-110º.  On the Washington Post’s chart’s y

axis goes from 55º-60º. Crash Course also emphasizes that context is important.

For example, if you know that small shifts of even a degree of global temperature

are unusual and can impact climate, the Washington Post’s chart seems more

relevant than the National Review’s although both are technically correct.

As I develop infographics for my collection I will have to make sure to

provide context and guard against misrepresenting my data.

Juvenile science collections of public libraries

Tracy, Anna

INFO 266, Fall 2016

Juvenile science collections of public libraries

This article posed 6 questions to determine the differences and similarities between three public libraries within the same county but that have varying demographics and locations from a rural, suburban and urban. The proportion of J 500s to overall nonfiction were looked at, as well as the type and caliber of science materials offered at these three different locations. A good portion of this article discusses the importance of nonfiction, not only for school work but for leisure reading and how different libraries do their nonfiction selection and weeding.

I chose this article because it sounded similar to what sections I had chosen for our collection mapping project. Just as I mentioned in my infographic, this article relates the importance of nonfiction science sections to schools and the natural relationship between schools and public libraries in offering a valued service to their community. It suggested a partnership with local science teachers to bridge the gap in knowledge for librarians who, more than likely, do not have a scientific background, to cease any discomfort in lack of knowledge and the ability to order effectively.

Approximately 20% percent of the three libraries nonfiction sections was dedicated to Science. I thought this was interesting considering 20.02% of my nonfiction collection is dedicated to STEAM materials which I consider to be too low, given their high circulating nature.

Colom, H. M. (2010). Juvenile Science Nonfiction: A Comparison of the Collections of a Rural, a Suburban, and an Urban Public Library. Current Studies In Librarianship, 30(1/2), 79-94.

Infographics: Why and Why Not!?

Jonathan P. Bell

INFO 266

March 14, 2016

McDermott, I. E. (2014). Show, don't tell. Online Searcher, 38(4), 35-37.

Why we should use infographics

Infographics are indispensable tools for libraries, says San Marino City Librarian Irene McDermott. A well-designed infographic can make complex data sets comprehensible to laypersons -- a group that can include users, elected leaders, and library board members.

Infographics are examples of data visualization, which “liberates” raw data by translating it from bland spreadsheets into captivating graphic design. As McDermott notes, data visualization is powerful because it “allows [data] to be instantly understood, telling a story and changing minds.” The most effective infographics are ones that covert dull numbers and mundane facts into a compelling narrative.

In this era of plummeting library budgets, it’s more important than ever to show the public and elected leaders -- quickly and clearly -- just how valuable the library is. No expensive design consultant is needed, says McDermott, because free data visualization services are available online. These include Infogr.am, GoogleCharts, and Easel.ly, while apps like Adobe Kuler help users select effective infographic color palettes. These services are designed for beginners and can be learned quickly. For individual product reviews, please read the original article.

The core takeaway is that an effective infographic uses images to communicate your story. Data and text must be translated into visual representations. Hence the advice, “Show, don’t tell.” Viewers should grasp the narrative, the story you’re telling, from your infographic’s design.

Why we might NOT use infographics

McDermott also includes an important sidebar critiquing infographics, and the points are well-argued. Citing marketing and information science analysts, she points out that infographics have become trite, often lack source citations, are difficult to index, and aren’t fully accessible to users with disabilities. This last point merits closer scrutiny.

Reliance on color schemes, visual cues, and graphic design techniques can make the infographic’s messages inaccessible for the visually impaired, while viewers with cognitive disabilities might perceive the visual data field as distracting or complex, thus undermining the very point of infographics as communication tools.

McDermott also tells the story of an infographic she drafted examining her library’s “relationships” showing city residents comprised only 33% of users whereas non-residents made up 66% of library users. McDermott works for the Crowell Library in the extremely wealthy and fiscally conservative City of San Marino in Los Angeles County. According to McDermott, publishing that infographic could’ve led to a city council outcry alleging “money wasted” on non-residents. McDermott chose to leave that data buried in her Excel sheet.

Evaluation

I chose this article because of our turn to infographics as communication tools in our presentations. One of my first impressions from my initial scan is that there are many competing, and perhaps redundant, free infographic services online. McDermott’s reviews were helpful in sorting out the details, though, I was surprised the author didn’t review Piktochart, one of the industry-leading free infographic tools and a favorite in our class.

The points outlined in her article are quite simple -- and familiar. It’s essentially the same advice we learned after years of viewing text-heavy PowerPoint presentations in college and the workplace. The advice is to use images to tell your story, and include minimal text. It’s that simple. Granted there’s a bit more room for text and numbers in infographics but the advice is effectively the same: say it with images.