The UMass Amherst Libraries are using interactive data visualization for collection development and analysis. Interactive expenditure, use, and consortial duplication dashboards allow selectors to look at monographs within a single area or across the collection. Ebook visualizations informed decision making as a result of publisher STL price increases. Ebook visualizations also include cost, use, and print publisher comparison.
The presentation describes the advantages of using a business intelligence (BI) or data visualization tool, Tableau, to analyze and communicate collection data:
• Easier to understand and more intuitive than text/numerical spreadsheet display • Excel or other software skills not needed for interaction • Interactivity facilitates exploration and analysis • Ability to aggregate and disaggregate • Ability to look at multiple sources together • Can be shared and updated
The presentation will demonstrate how data visualizations are used by individual selectors and across the collection. We will show examples of selector dashboards that include:
• Order groups/budget codes expenditures by selector • Use of material over time with title level detail • Consortial duplication/use • Use by School and College • Use by Library of Congress Class
The presentation will address how using data visualization has impacted collection development:
• Transformed abstract ideas of the collection into concrete understandable reality • Informs item level decision making • Informs format decisions • Informs allocation distribution across subject areas • Used to communicate collections information with stakeholders • Demonstrates fiscal accountability and responsibility
This presentation will include time for questions and discussion.
