Data Visualization for the Rest of Us: A Beginner’s GuideLinda Hofschire

Library Research Service, Colorado State Library

www.lrs.org | @LRS_CO | @lindahofschire

SCHOOL LIBRARY IMPACT STUDIES

What do jelly beans have to do with museum visits?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jEnD_GH97o

Stories are how numbers talk to people.-Thomas Davenport

By visualizing information, we turn it into a landscape that you can explore with your eyes, a sort of information map. And when you’re lost in information, an information map is kind of useful.―David McCandless

Numbers have an important story to tell. They rely on you to give them a clear and convincing voice.―Stephen Few

The Data Visualization Continuum

Excel chart/number art in a report or presentation

Complex infographic that includes a variety

of visual elements

The Data Visualization Continuum

Excel chart/number art in a report or presentation

Complex infographic that includes a variety

of visual elements

Where are you on the continuum?

4 simple tweaks to make numbersand charts more accessible

1. PUT NUMBERS IN CONTEXT

Source: Data is Beautiful/Reddit

2. CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE CHART

2. CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE CHART

3. SIMPLIFY AND ESTABLISH A FOCAL POINT

3. SIMPLIFY AND ESTABLISH A FOCAL POINT

Image credit: Stephanie Evergreen

3. SIMPLIFY AND ESTABLISH A FOCAL POINT

Image credit: Stephanie Evergreen

4. DON’T MAKE PEOPLE WORK TOO HARD TO FIND INFORMATION

<10k 10k-24,999 25k-99,999 100k-499,999 500k+0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Percentage of U.S. Public Libraries with Text, Chat, and Email Reference, 2014

Text Chat Email

Population Group

Perc

enta

ge o

f Lib

rarie

s

4. DON’T MAKE PEOPLE WORK TOO HARD TO FIND INFORMATION

<10k 10k-24,999 25k-99,999 100k-499,999 500k+0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2%11% 14%

21%

67%

9%

26% 28%

43%

100%

25% 26%

48%

75%

100%

Percentage of U.S. Public Libraries with Text, Chat, and Email Reference, 2014

Text Chat Email

Population Group

Perc

enta

ge o

f Lib

rarie

s

CHART DISSECTION

My child's enjoyment of read-ing increased

My child's reading skills increased

My child's reading by choice increased

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

49.32% 49.13%54.05%

59.28% 57.71%60.39%61.22% 59.01%

61.86%

Chart 3Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's Enjoy-

ment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice Increased af-ter Participating in Summer Reading

All survey respondentsParents of children ages 4-6Families participating in summer reading for the first time

My child's enjoyment of read-ing increased

My child's reading skills increased

My child's reading by choice increased

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

49.32% 49.13%54.05%

59.28% 57.71%60.39%61.22% 59.01%

61.86%

Chart 3Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's Enjoy-

ment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice Increased af-ter Participating in Summer Reading

All survey respondentsParents of children ages 4-6Families participating in summer reading for the first time

*

My child's enjoyment of read-ing increased

My child's reading skills increased

My child's reading by choice increased

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

49.32% 49.13%54.05%

59.28% 57.71%60.39%61.22% 59.01%

61.86%

Chart 3Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's Enjoy-

ment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice Increased af-ter Participating in Summer Reading

All survey respondentsParents of children ages 4-6Families participating in summer reading for the first time

My child's enjoyment of read-ing increased

My child's reading skills increased

My child's reading by choice increased

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

49.32% 49.13%54.05%

59.28% 57.71%60.39%61.22% 59.01%

61.86%

Chart 3Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's Enjoy-

ment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice Increased af-ter Participating in Summer Reading

All survey respondentsParents of children ages 4-6Families participating in summer reading for the first time

My child's enjoyment of read-ing increased

My child's reading skills increased

My child's reading by choice increased

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

49.32% 49.13%54.05%

59.28% 57.71%60.39%61.22% 59.01%

61.86%

Chart 3Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's Enjoy-

ment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice Increased af-ter Participating in Summer Reading

All survey respondentsParents of children ages 4-6Families participating in summer reading for the first time

*

My child's enjoyment of read-ing increased

My child's reading skills increased

My child's reading by choice increased

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

49.32% 49.13%54.05%

59.28% 57.71%60.39%61.22% 59.01%

61.86%

Chart 3Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's Enjoy-

ment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice Increased af-ter Participating in Summer Reading

All survey respondentsParents of children ages 4-6Families participating in summer reading for the first time

My child's enjoyment of read-ing increased

My child's reading skills increased

My child's reading by choice increased

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

49.32% 49.13%54.05%

59.28% 57.71%60.39%61.22% 59.01%

61.86%

Chart 3Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's Enjoy-

ment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice Increased af-ter Participating in Summer Reading

All survey respondentsParents of children ages 4-6Families participating in summer reading for the first time

Color

My child

's en

joyment

of readin

g inc

reas

ed

My child

's re

ading s

kills

increase

d

My child

's re

ading b

y cho

ice in

creas

ed0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%

49% 49% 54%59% 58% 60%61% 59% 62%

The impact of summer reading was particularly pronounced for families participating in the program for the first time and children ages 4-6:

All survey respondents Parents of children ages 4-6 Families participating in summer reading for the first time

My child's enjoyment of read-ing increased

My child's reading skills increased

My child's reading by choice increased

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

49.32% 49.13%54.05%

59.28% 57.71%60.39%61.22% 59.01%

61.86%

Chart 3Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's Enjoy-

ment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice Increased af-ter Participating in Summer Reading

All survey respondentsParents of children ages 4-6Families participating in summer reading for the first time

Activity: Chart Critique

Entrepreneurship

Employment

Education

eGovernment

Health & wellness

eCommerce

Civic engagement

Social networking

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

10%

25%

27%

29%

30%

32%

34%

51%

Using technology to stay in touch with family and friends and maintain social networks was the most popular activity on Rock Creek Public Library computers.

The percentages of Stony Brook Public Library computer users accomplishing work-related tasks have increased steadily since 2013.

About half of Boulder Bay Public Library computer users are white, and more than 1 in 4 are Hispanic or Latino.

48%

27%

11%

10%

4%

WhiteHispanic or LatinoBlack or African-AmericanAmerican Indian and Alaska NativeAsian

More than 1 in 4 Boulder Bay Public Library computer users are Hispanic or Latino.

3 DESIGN GUIDELINES1. K.I.S.S.2. Show rather than tell3. Colors and fonts

3 DESIGN GUIDELINES1. K.I.S.S.2. Show rather than tell3. Colors and fonts

3 DESIGN GUIDELINES1. K.I.S.S.2. Show rather than tell3. Colors and fonts

STEPS FOR SUCCESS

1. Begin with numbers

2. Understand your goals and audience

3. Find your story

4. Design, refine, repurpose

5. Share

SUMMER READING SURVEY

My child's enjoyment of reading increased

My child's reading by choice increased

My child's reading skills increased

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

49%

49%

54%

After participating in summer reading...

STEPS FOR SUCCESS

1. Begin with numbers

2. Understand your goals and audience

3. Establish your approach

4. Design, refine, repurpose

5. Share

GOALS AND AUDIENCE

GOALS AND AUDIENCE

Each year, Colorado public libraries offer engaging summer reading programs to encourage children and teens to read for fun and to prevent summer learning loss…

STEPS FOR SUCCESS

1. Begin with numbers

2. Understand your goals and audience

3. Find your story

4. Design, refine, repurpose

5. Share

WHAT’S THE STORY?

My child's enjoyment of reading increased

My child's reading by choice increased

My child's reading skills increased

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

49%

49%

54%

After participating in summer reading...

WHAT’S THE STORY?

Child’s age

Summer reading participation history

Library card

How respondent learned about summer reading Plan to visit

library in fall

WHAT’S THE STORY?

Child’s age

Summer reading participation history Library

card

How respondent learned about summer reading Plan to visit

library in fall

WHAT’S THE STORY?

All survey respondents

Parents of children ages 4-6

Families participating in summer reading for the first time

49%

59%

61%

My child’s enjoyment of reading increased

All survey respondents

Parents of children ages 4-6

Families participating in summer reading for the first time

49%

59%

59%

My child’s reading skills increased

WHAT’S THE STORY?

WHAT’S THE STORY?

All survey respondents

Families participating in summer reading for the first time

Parents of children ages 4-6

54%

60%

61%

My child’s reading by choice increased

STEPS FOR SUCCESS

1. Begin with numbers

2. Understand your goals and audience

3. Find your story

4. Design, refine, repurpose

5. Share

DESIGN, REFINE, REPURPOSE

Format—print, online, both?

STEPS FOR SUCCESS

1. Begin with numbers

2. Understand your goals and audience

3. Establish your approach

4. Design, refine, repurpose

5. Share

INFOGRAPHIC CREATION SOFTWARE

PowerPoint AdobeIllustrator

Piktochart

INFOGRAPHIC CREATION SOFTWARE

PowerPoint AdobeIllustrator

Piktochart

PIKTOCHART

RESOURCESInfographic Software:Selection Guide

Tips and Inspiration: Librarian Design Share

Stephanie Evergreen

Ann Emery

Flowing Data

Information is Beautiful

Ad/Lib

Storytelling with Data

RESOURCESSoftware Tutorials:Lynda

Creative Live

Icon/Image Sources:IconArchive

openclipart

morgueFile

Pexels

Pixabay

RESOURCESSymbol Font Sources:Modern Pictograms

StateFace

Cittadino

WebHostingHub Glyphs

The Top 15 Free Symbol Fonts

RESOURCESFonts:MyFonts

Adobe Typekit

dafont

Colors/Palettes:ColourLovers

Adobe Color CC

RESOURCESColor Blindness:Compliant Color Use

Chart Selection Guide:Tableau Whitepaper: Which Chart or Graph is Right for You?

ACTION ITEMS

1.Perform a chart dissection2.Take a data inventory3.Think about the stories you

want to tell about your library. Do you have data to tell these stories?

QUESTIONS?

September 30-October 3, 2016Denver, CO

Registration opens January 26, 2016

www.ripl.lrs.org#RIPLeffect

Preconference: Think, Do, Show: Practical Techniques for Analyzing, Using, and Visualizing Data to Improve Practice andDemonstrate Impact

Tuesday, April 5, 2016, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

bit.ly/RIPL_PLA

THANK YOU!Linda Hofschire:

Hofschire_L@cde.state.co.us

lrs.org | ripl.lrs.org

Slides and resources are at bit.ly/ALAMW_Data