Back in Circulation Again 2024

Not every library has access to specialized analytical software such as Tableau or MS Power BI. Still, circulation managers and librarians need to be able to make meaningful connections between circulation data, space usage, patron counts, marketing campaigns, and patron engagement to improve library services. It is possible to use Excel as both a data collection and visualization tool for Circulation and Access Services related data. This provides an easy and cost effective solution for circulation managers since many institutions, both public and private, have access to Excel through MS Office.

This presentation provides a brief overview on how to use simple pivot tables and charts in Excel to turn raw data into meaningful visualizations that can be used to make informed decisions that can have positive impacts on marketing efforts, utilization of space, and delivery of services to patrons. The methods demonstrated in this presentation are simple and direct with no need for specialized training on the part of the attendees. The first half of the presentation will focus on how to format data and create visualizations including data dashboards using pivot tables in Excel. The second half of the presentation will demonstrate how this methodology is being used in the CTR Library at the University of Nebraska at Kearney to make informed circulation management decisions.

The presentation will take a total of 40 minutes with an added 20 minutes post-presentation for questions and discussion.