The Wisconsin Public Library Consortium (WPLC), in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and WiLS, has launched a statewide data dashboard pilot that is running from September 3-December 31.
WVLS is providing monthly “Data Dissection” activities as a way to test this pilot tool. Each month’s topic will introduce a different aspect of the tool. Libraries are encouraged to experiment with the tool to answer their own data questions. Librarians who participate in four monthly “Data Dissections” will be eligible for a $25 Amazon gift card.
Data Dissection #1: Library cohorts
This activity will introduce the idea of “benchmarking” your library against other libraries in a cohort of similar population or community type to understand differences in library resources, services, or budget.
This activity should take approximately 15 minutes.
This activity will introduce the idea of “benchmarking” your library against other libraries in a cohort of similar population or community type to understand differences in library resources, services, or budget.
This activity should take approximately 15 minutes.
Use the following resources to complete the first task, including completing the Google Form.
- WPLC Data Dashboard Introduction
- Data Dashboard landing page
- Data Dashboard: What are “cohort averages” and why use them?
- Data Dashboard finding a cohort – YouTube Video
- Data Dashboard activity – find your library’s local description and population band
Task:
Complete Google Form: https://forms.gle/a59Tf5d7m8u2GyTy5
The form should be completed by Tuesday, October 8.
You may also submit dashboard questions and feedback directly to WPLC through their Question & Answer Repository form.