Presentation Tools in Libraries

Libraries are regularly required to keep statistics on library usage to prove that the library is a benefit to the community. Fichter and Wisniewski describe a way for librarians to make the dry statistics tell a more engaging story using “narrative, context, and visualization” (Fichter 75). After all, what is the point of collecting all of that data if your message isn't being heard.

Important reasons to use visuals in your presentations:

“• Text plus photo elicits roughly twice the views of text only content.

• Visual images are processed by the brain in only 150 milliseconds, 60,000 times faster than text” (Fichter 75).

It is important to use graphics that are clear and easy to understand. Fichter and Wisniewski also recommend considering how the media will be viewed (PC, mobile device, tablet?). Keep in mind the audience, how does the story relate to them? Why should they care?

Once you have your statistics, your narrative, and know who your audience is and how they will be accessing your message, how to create it? There are plenty of free tools available. Some of the ones Fichter and Wisniewski describe in their article are Google charts, Inforgram, Piktochart, and Powtoon,

This article also describes some presentation tools and their uses. http://acrl.ala.org/IS/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/fall2014.pdf

This link provides an abundance of presentation tools! http://www.chaminadelibrary.org/presentation-tools.html

And a few more: http://libguides.utoledo.edu/presentations

Sources:

Fichter, Darlene, and Jeff Wisniewski. "Telling Your Library's Story One Number At A Time." Online Searcher 38.4 (2014): 74-76. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.

Public domain images are from Pixabay.