Data-Driven Decisions

This book guides readers from the very start of their journey in discovering data and all its uses to implementing data collection, analysis and review for decision making and service development. It’s a practical, no-nonsense guide to demystify and equip any information professional with the tools to start their own data-driven decision practice.

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Data-Driven Decisions: A Practical Toolkit for Library and Information Professionals is a simple, jargon-free guide to using data for decision making in library services. The book walks readers step-by-step through each stage of implementing, reviewing and embedding data-driven decisions in their organisation, providing accessible visualisations, top tips, and downloadable tools to support readers on their data journey. Starting with the absolute basics of using data, the author creates a framework for building skills and knowledge slowly until the reader is comfortable with even complex uses of data.

The book begins with an exploration of the foundations of data-driven decisions in libraries including a look at the impact of the current financial climate on resources, theoretical foundations of data collection and analysis, and how this book can be used in practice. The next section takes readers through the data-driven decisions model, providing a guide for understanding and a manual for implementation of the model. Finally, the book provides further perspectives and reading surrounding analysis and implementation of data-driven decisions. This section aims to give supplementary and focused information on different areas of data-driven decisions which can be included in processes once the reader understands the foundation of the book from earlier chapters.

Highly practical and written in an accessible style, this book is an essential resource for librarians and information professionals who increasingly need to justify decisions on programmes and services through quantifiable data.