Cover image for Say it with data : a concise guide to making your case and getting results
Title:
Say it with data : a concise guide to making your case and getting results
Personal Author:
Publication Information:
Chicago : ALA Editions, 2014
Physical Description:
xiii, 132 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.
ISBN:
9780838911945

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30000010328203 Z678 D17 2014 Open Access Book Book
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Summary

Summary

Administrators, policymakers, legislators, and the public demand concrete, measurable evidence of the need for libraries and their use. The collection and dissemination of data about library service in a straightforward, convincing manner are integral components of library advocacy in the current economic climate. Addressing frontline librarians lobbying for increased programming or staff, as well as administrators marshalling statistics to stem the tide of budget cuts and prevent library closure, this vital new book explores the whys and hows of using data to build a better picture of library needs and success. With a distinctive combination of research-based information and practical application, DandoDemonstrates how data from surveys, focus groups, ALA, and state and local sources can be aggregated and used to craft a strong messageTakes readers step by step through the process of using data to tailor a message to specific audiencesOffers real-world examples from school and public libraries that can be used as modelsAddressing the requirements of a variety of stakeholders, this concise resource lays out an easy-to-follow, systematic way of inspiring action through clear, compelling data.


Reviews 1

Booklist Review

This book will help any librarian effectively gather and use data to support one's arguments to decision makers. Dando gives great information about how to make your case and get results using quantitative and qualitative data gathered through surveys and focus groups, among other methods. The book draws on personal experience and is written in a nontechnical manner. Checklists are included for surveys, focus groups, and data presentation, along with sample surveys (public library patrons, high-school students and teachers, and school faculty) and a sample of survey results for data presentation. Whether they are seasoned leaders, librarians seeking to prove to others the importance of a new idea or change, or students learning how to use surveys and focus groups to support decision making, most librarians will find value in this book.--Marcus, Sara Copyright 2010 Booklist


Table of Contents

Prefacep. vii
Acknowledgmentsp. xiii
1 Determining Need, Message, and Audiencep. 1
2 Secrets of Effective Communicationp. 13
3 Working with the Power of Statisticsp. 29
4 Methods of Measurement: Surveysp. 43
5 Methods of Measurement: Focus Groupsp. 61
6 Presenting Data to Get Resultsp. 73
Appendix A Survey Checklistp. 93
Appendix B Focus Group Checklistp. 95
Appendix C Data Presentation Checklistp. 97
Appendix D Birmingham Public Library Patron Surveyp. 99
Appendix E Sample Student Survey, Robert E. Lee High Schoolp. 105
Appendix F Sample Teacher Survey, Robert E. Lee High Schoolp. 111
Appendix G Westborough Public School Library Survey (Faculty)p. 115
Appendix H Sample Survey Results for Analysisp. 119
Bibliographyp. 123
Indexp. 129