Benchmark
For
Building on Strengths
Use evidence of strengths to compare with outside standards or trends and contribute to the larger library community.
Data Story Format
"We are assessing our library's strengths in __[programs or services]__ to compare with __[standards or trends]__ so that we can contribute our unique strenghts to the larger library community by __[programs or services]."
Possible Use
We are assessing our library's strengths in social media presence to compare with other libraries and recent online trends so that we can contribute our unique strengths by adding more local and staff book recommendations to our social media presence.
Real Story Examples
You’ve Heard of TikTok, But Do You Know About BookTok And LibraryTok? https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/08/youve-heard-of-tiktok-but-do-you-know-about-booktok-and-librarytok/
Library Workers Unite: Unionization Efforts Grow Across All Sectors. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/publiclibraries/Library-Workers-Unite-Unionization-Efforts-Grow-Across-All-Sectors
Economic Mobility for Library Workers: tuition for library workers who face challenges completing undergraduate degrees. https://imls-spr.imls.gov/Public/Details/92208
Data Visualization Recommendations
General Guidance
Benchmark: Consider using combinations of bar charts to illustrate two key story elements:(1) the existing strengths and (2) planned strategies or directions for further building on these identified strengths.
