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 strengths to the larger library community by __[programs or services]__."
Possible Use
We are assessing our library's strengths via staff consultations to provide professional development and support for librarians leading youth literacy programming to improve the quality of our Youth Services.
Real Story Examples
Youth Services: The GPLS Youth Services department sought to transform families by helping create the pre-conditions necessary to becoming lifelong readers and learners. This year GPLS supported this goal by providing professional development and support for libraries and library staff who lead youth literacy programming (including Summer Reading), our updated 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten initiative, Prime Time Family Reading, and The Georgia Peach Award.
Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection: Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection (CHNC) provides free online access to 730+ newspaper titles published in Colorado from 1859 to 2023. Deliberate focus was made to add content from non-mainstream sources, including more titles from underrepresented geographic areas including small and rural areas, unrepresented communities including African American and Japanese American, foreign language materials, and alternative viewpoints and perspectives.
Economic Mobility and California Libraries - Working Scholars: This pilot project funded library workers’ continued education so they could finish high school and college online. In a survey, half of the libraries enrolled in the program said they strongly agreed that applying the resources will help improve services to the public. The project coordinator mentioned that they will need more time going forward for students to graduate.
Measuring for Success: Scottsdale Public Library conducted surveys on families participating in two early learning programs, Books Can...© and Fun with Math & Science. The surveys, given before and after separate 6-week programs, allowed data to show how and why these programs work for families to study effective early learning strategies.
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.
