1.
Data Visualization
for the Rest of Us: A
Beginner’s Guide
Linda Hofschire
Library Research Service, Colorado State Library
www.lrs.org | @LRS_CO | @lindahofschire

2.
SCHOOL LIBRARY IMPACT STUDIES

3.
What do jelly beans
have to do with
museum visits?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jEnD_GH97o

4.
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

5.
The Data Visualization Continuum
Excel chart/
number art in a
report or
presentation
Complex infographic
that includes a variety
of visual elements

6.
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?

7.
4 simple tweaks to make numbers
and charts more accessible

8.
1. PUT NUMBERS IN CONTEXT

9.
Source: Data is Beautiful/Reddit
2. CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE CHART

10.
2. CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE CHART

11.
3. SIMPLIFY AND ESTABLISH A
FOCAL POINT

12.
3. SIMPLIFY AND ESTABLISH A
FOCAL POINT
Image credit: Stephanie Evergreen

13.
3. SIMPLIFY AND ESTABLISH A
FOCAL POINT
Image credit: Stephanie Evergreen

14.
4. DON’T MAKE PEOPLE WORK TOO
HARD TO FIND INFORMATION
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
<10k 10k-24,999 25k-99,999 100k-499,999 500k+
PercentageofLibraries
Population Group
Percentage of U.S. Public Libraries with Text, Chat, and
Email Reference, 2014
Text Chat Email

15.
4. DON’T MAKE PEOPLE WORK TOO
HARD TO FIND INFORMATION
2%
11% 14%
21%
67%
9%
26% 28%
43%
100%
25% 26%
48%
75%
100%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
<10k 10k-24,999 25k-99,999 100k-499,999 500k+
PercentageofLibraries
Population Group
Percentage of U.S. Public Libraries with Text, Chat, and
Email Reference, 2014
Text Chat Email

16.
CHART DISSECTION

17.
49.32% 49.13%
54.05%
59.28% 57.71%
60.39%61.22%
59.01%
61.86%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
My child's enjoyment of reading
increased
My child's reading skills
increased
My child's reading by choice
increased
Chart 3
Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's
Enjoyment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice
Increased after Participating in Summer Reading
All survey respondents
Parents of children ages 4-6
Families participating in summer reading for the first time

18.
49.32% 49.13%
54.05%
59.28% 57.71%
60.39%61.22%
59.01%
61.86%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
My child's enjoyment of reading
increased
My child's reading skills
increased
My child's reading by choice
increased
Chart 3
Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's
Enjoyment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice
Increased after Participating in Summer Reading
All survey respondents
Parents of children ages 4-6
Families participating in summer reading for the first time
*

19.
49.32% 49.13%
54.05%
59.28% 57.71%
60.39%61.22%
59.01%
61.86%
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
My child's enjoyment of reading
increased
My child's reading skills
increased
My child's reading by choice
increased
Chart 3
Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's
Enjoyment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice
Increased after Participating in Summer Reading
All survey respondents
Parents of children ages 4-6
Families participating in summer reading for the first time

20.
49.32% 49.13%
54.05%
59.28% 57.71%
60.39%61.22%
59.01%
61.86%
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
My child's enjoyment of reading
increased
My child's reading skills
increased
My child's reading by choice
increased
Chart 3
Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's
Enjoyment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice
Increased after Participating in Summer Reading
All survey respondents
Parents of children ages 4-6
Families participating in summer reading for the first time

21.
49.32% 49.13%
54.05%
59.28% 57.71%
60.39%61.22%
59.01%
61.86%
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
My child's enjoyment of reading
increased
My child's reading skills
increased
My child's reading by choice
increased
Chart 3
Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's
Enjoyment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice
Increased after Participating in Summer Reading
All survey respondents
Parents of children ages 4-6
Families participating in summer reading for the first time
*

22.
49.32% 49.13%
54.05%
59.28% 57.71%
60.39%61.22%
59.01%
61.86%
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
My child's enjoyment of reading
increased
My child's reading skills
increased
My child's reading by choice
increased
Chart 3
Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's
Enjoyment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice
Increased after Participating in Summer Reading
All survey respondents
Parents of children ages 4-6
Families participating in summer reading for the first time

23.
49.32% 49.13%
54.05%
59.28% 57.71%
60.39%61.22%
59.01%
61.86%
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
My child's enjoyment of reading
increased
My child's reading skills
increased
My child's reading by choice
increased
Chart 3
Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's
Enjoyment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice
Increased after Participating in Summer Reading
All survey respondents
Parents of children ages 4-6
Families participating in summer reading for the first time
Color

24.
49% 49%
54%
59%
58%
60%61%
59%
62%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
My child's enjoyment of
reading increased
My child's reading skills
increased
My child's reading by
choice increased
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

25.
49.32% 49.13%
54.05%
59.28% 57.71%
60.39%61.22%
59.01%
61.86%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
My child's enjoyment of reading
increased
My child's reading skills
increased
My child's reading by choice
increased
Chart 3
Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's
Enjoyment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice
Increased after Participating in Summer Reading
All survey respondents
Parents of children ages 4-6
Families participating in summer reading for the first time

26.
Activity: Chart Critique

27.
10%
25%
27%
29%
30%
32%
34%
51%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Entrepreneurship
Employment
Education
eGovernment
Health & wellness
eCommerce
Civic engagement
Social networking
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.

28.
The percentages of Stony Brook Public Library computer users accomplishing
work-related tasks have increased steadily since 2013.

29.
About half of Boulder Bay Public Library computer users are white,
and more than 1 in 4 are Hispanic or Latino.

30.
48%
27%
11%
10%
4%
White
Hispanic or Latino
Black or African-American
American Indian and Alaska
Native
Asian
More than 1 in 4 Boulder Bay Public Library computer users are
Hispanic or Latino.

31.
3 DESIGN GUIDELINES
1. K.I.S.S.
2. Show rather than tell
3. Colors and fonts

32.
3 DESIGN GUIDELINES
1. K.I.S.S.
2. Show rather than tell
3. Colors and fonts

33.
3 DESIGN GUIDELINES
1. K.I.S.S.
2. Show rather than tell
3. Colors and fonts

34.
STEPS FOR SUCCESS
1. Begin with numbers
2. Understand your goals and
audience
3. Find your story
4. Design, refine, repurpose
5. Share

35.
SUMMER READING SURVEY
49%
49%
54%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
My child's enjoyment of reading
increased
My child's reading by choice
increased
My child's reading skills increased
After participating in summer reading...

36.
STEPS FOR SUCCESS
1. Begin with numbers
2. Understand your goals and
audience
3. Establish your approach
4. Design, refine, repurpose
5. Share

37.
GOALS AND AUDIENCE

38.
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…

39.
STEPS FOR SUCCESS
1. Begin with numbers
2. Understand your goals and
audience
3. Find your story
4. Design, refine, repurpose
5. Share

40.
WHAT’S THE STORY?
49%
49%
54%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
My child's enjoyment of reading
increased
My child's reading by choice
increased
My child's reading skills increased
After participating in summer reading...

41.
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

42.
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

43.
WHAT’S THE STORY?
49%
59%
61%
All survey respondents
Parents of children ages 4-6
Families participating in summer
reading for the first time
My child’s enjoyment of reading increased

44.
49%
59%
59%
All survey respondents
Parents of children ages 4-6
Families participating in summer
reading for the first time
My child’s reading skills increased
WHAT’S THE STORY?

45.
WHAT’S THE STORY?
54%
60%
61%
All survey respondents
Families participating in summer
reading for the first time
Parents of children ages 4-6
My child’s reading by choice increased

46.
STEPS FOR SUCCESS
1. Begin with numbers
2. Understand your goals and
audience
3. Find your story
4. Design, refine, repurpose
5. Share

47.
DESIGN, REFINE, REPURPOSE
Format—print, online, both?

48.
STEPS FOR SUCCESS
1. Begin with numbers
2. Understand your goals and
audience
3. Establish your approach
4. Design, refine, repurpose
5. Share

49.
INFOGRAPHIC CREATION SOFTWARE
PowerPoint
Adobe
Illustrator
Piktochart

50.
INFOGRAPHIC CREATION SOFTWARE
PowerPoint
Adobe
Illustrator
Piktochart

51.
PIKTOCHART

52.
RESOURCES
Infographic Software:
Selection Guide
Tips and Inspiration:
Librarian Design Share
Stephanie Evergreen
Ann Emery
Flowing Data
Information is Beautiful
Ad/Lib
Storytelling with Data

53.
RESOURCES
Software Tutorials:
Lynda
Creative Live
Icon/Image Sources:
IconArchive
openclipart
morgueFile
Pexels
Pixabay

54.
RESOURCES
Symbol Font Sources:
Modern Pictograms
StateFace
Cittadino
WebHostingHub Glyphs
The Top 15 Free Symbol Fonts

55.
RESOURCES
Fonts:
MyFonts
Adobe Typekit
dafont
Colors/Palettes:
ColourLovers
Adobe Color CC

56.
RESOURCES
Color Blindness:
Compliant Color Use
Chart Selection Guide:
Tableau Whitepaper: Which Chart or Graph is Right for You?

57.
ACTION ITEMS
1.Perform a chart dissection
2.Take a data inventory
3.Think about the stories you
want to tell about your library.
Do you have data to tell these
stories?

58.
QUESTIONS?

59.
September 30-October 3, 2016
Denver, CO
Registration opens January 26, 2016
www.ripl.lrs.org
#RIPLeffect

60.
Preconference:
Think, Do, Show: Practical Techniques for Analyzing, Using,
and Visualizing Data to Improve Practice and
Demonstrate Impact
Tuesday, April 5, 2016, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
bit.ly/RIPL_PLA

61.
THANK YOU!
Linda Hofschire:
Hofschire_L@cde.state.co.us
lrs.org | ripl.lrs.org
Slides and resources are at
bit.ly/ALAMW_Data