Data driven decisions: a practical toolkit for library and information professionals

Abstract

Data driven decision making is about using an understanding of data to feed into decision making and planning to facilitate processes such as service improvement, identify changing needs and trends to develop new services, and to articulate strengths in service delivery and maintenance. The book’s author, Amy Stubbing, is responsible for strategic planning and the development of learning support provision at the University of Westminster. Her interest in data and its use to inform decision making has led her to develop a data driven decisions toolkit for libraries. The book is the culmination of working with libraries on using the toolkit. There are also contributors from several academic librarians in the UK who describe their experiences using data to deliver better services. The text is split into two main parts. The first part describes the toolkit and how to use it, while the second part covers specific topics written by contributors and focusing on real-life scenarios. At the start of each chapter there is a brief introduction which lists the topics in the chapter with a reference so the reader can navigate directly to the topic. There are many practical examples provided throughout. The text includes tables, charts, and data maps used to illustrate points which can also be reused in other situations. There is advice on how to collect manual data, how to normalise and map data, data analysis, and how to move forward with what data you have. There are descriptions of tips and pitfalls gained through experience. Contributors in part two describe processes such as collection mapping, user experience and qualitative data, use of digital and social media to inform decisions, data visualisation techniques and building a data driven culture. At the end of the book there is a bibliography for further study, and an index. For a book about data the tone is unexpectedly friendly, conversational, and easy to read. The content is interesting, relevant, and able to be implemented in most libraries. While the explanations and examples are academic library based, the techniques can be applied to all types of libraries. This book is highly recommended to practitioners looking to use data to improve services – which is most likely all of us.