Statistics, specifically data from the Public Library Survey (PLS) or Annual Report, are used to help libraries evaluate their effectiveness and plan for the future. Data can also be used for advocacy. Statistics and fun facts are a sensible method to prove the worth of libraries. Statistics can be very eye-opening for people who may not know enough about libraries. They can
Numbers can really drive the point home. However, too much data may be overwhelming. Consider doing something fun with the data, like an infographic, which are brief and visual.
Simply put, an infographic takes statistics and presents them in a visual way like a chart or a graph. They are an easy way to share data about the library to community members, legislators, and other library stakeholders, and allows these people to quickly see the library's successes in a quantitative way. Infographics can be made online using websites like Canva, Piktochart, or easel.ly.
When creating an infographic, use data from the library's most recent annual report and compare it to other local, regional, or national data (for example, attendance at library programs compared to the high school football games). Additionally, pay attention to the principles of graphic design, for example
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Some examples of different library infographics can be found at the links below:
Additionally, NDSL is happy to provide a basic infographic based on the numbers submitted for the Public Library Survey (PLS). These infographics will include the number of visits to your library, registered users, items, wireless sessions, programs, program attendees, and circulations. If your library is interested in receiving a custom infographic, contact the Marketing Specialist at ndslpa@nd.gov.
Tools like the ones below will help demonstrate the value of the library to users:
Patrick Bodily's session presented at the Annual Convention of the Association of Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL), Springfield, IL, 2018:
Many of these resources and programs are funded under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.