Breakout: Data: Where do I even start? A hands-on session exploring how to collect, manage, analyze and visualize your data using freely available software
It’s annual public library survey submission time, and you’re already worried about how much precious time it will take to track down all the pieces of data in different places and formats. You always feel like you have access to an incredible quantity of data but it’s hard to even know how to begin making your data actually useful.
In this hands-on session we will help you get started making your data work for you. We’ll show you how to wrangle your data with a quick and convenient DIY collection process. Then, we’ll show you how to use data visualization and analytics to meet your key data needs. This session will use Google Sheets, Forms, and Tableau Public, and is intended for people unsure of how to even begin with data management and visualization. It’s also good for libraries with very limited resources.
Data doesn’t have to feel like herding cats; it can be intuitive, it can be beautiful and it can definitely be fun!
Because this session will involve hands on-work, we recommend bringing a laptop and signing up for Google and Tableau Public accounts ahead of time. We will have a limited number of laptops available for those participants who aren’t able to bring a laptop. We will also include non-digital options for participating in the learning activities for those who don’t have laptops and/or would prefer not to work on a laptop during the session.