I love sharing the power and impact of my school library. It’s advocacy, marketing and promotions all rolled into one. It helps justify my staffing, budget, and what we do all day, and the importance of that can never be underestimated.
One of the most powerful ways to share impact is to use data. We as school library staff have access to an abundance of data to share. From loan statistics and numbers of library lessons to online downloads and subscription access provided, we have so much data that speaks to the power and impact of the school library. But data alone can be overwhelming, dry or lose its impact if it’s not explained. That’s where data-driven narratives come in. Data shared through a story reaches a wider audience and has much more impact. Here are some key things I’ve learnt about sharing through data and storytelling.
Use the power of story to share your message
We are librarians and storytellers. Story captivates and engages a listener. It makes information meaningful. Use the data you have to tell a story. What you share should be carefully crafted. Combine your data with photos, anecdotes or quotes from staff, students and parents. Demonstrate through these the impact of the library.
I will never forget sharing the above graphic with my principal. As I handed it to him, I told him the story of a year 8 boy, visiting and borrowing from the library for the first time. With a stack of graphic novels in his arms, he told us he’d seen the new books we’d purchased that his sisters had borrowed and wanted to come and borrow some for himself. I shared how the 50 books we’d purchased, many of which we’d found in second-hand shops, had enabled us to expand this collection for a class unit. I didn’t ask for more budget then, but I shared powerful data combined with story. When I did ask for a substantial budget increase later in the year, it was approved.
Craft your story
What do you want to share and why? Why should it matter? What does it tell your audience overall?
One part of the story
What is you share is just one chapter in a long story. Check, are you sharing the same things each time? What do you neglect to share? What stories are silenced? And just as important, what data do you highlight over others?
Find multiple data sources
We have access to a massive range of data, from loan counts to number of lessons delivered, students through the door, students who borrowed at least one thing, digital downloads, pens lent, honestly, anything and everything can be good data to share, so long as it reflects your message.
Select your data carefully
You don’t have to share all your data, all the time. Be selective. What tells the right story at this particular point in time? What is most telling or powerful?
Don’t share everything. Yes, we have access to LOTS of data. And if I had a long time and many pages, I could share it all, but that would be missing the point, I need to be selective in what I share so it’s powerful and meaningful.
Position your audience in the driving seat
Use the data that speaks to your listener. You need to know your audience for this one. Who are you sharing this data with and what do they care about? Use what you know and if you don’t know, find out. What are other departments being asked to focus on? What are the school’s or leader’s goals that your data and narratives shows the school library helping to achieve? What matters to them and why?
How you share matters
There are lots of different ways to share your data and narratives – through a casual conversation at a staff gathering, through the school newsletter or a staff email, a staff briefing visit, a flyer in the hallways, a formal report to the school board or leadership. Pick your medium carefully and use a wide variety of mediums.
What data do you capture, use and share to promote your school library?
Further Reading: