7 The Project
We have covered a lot! Let’s remember a few key items in our three modules:
Data Literacy
- Basic descriptive statistics
- Context
Library Data
- Mission/values/goals
- Audience and best evidence for them
- Elevator pitch
Equity
- Equity 2030
- Equity by Design
- Many possible DEI projects in academic libraries
Along the way, we should be thinking about the library efforts that tie these together to benefit students.
Also, you have to start somewhere! If you think you have no data, it can’t be true, given IPEDS. There is always a small place to start. Pick ONE THING and work to analyze that one thing, put it into context of both your library and your institution and then communicate it. It might help to think about possibilities in terms of spaces, resources, and services (thanks to one of our participants for that!) It is great to brainstorm possibilities, but then pick one thing to focus on for the project. (This is hard, we know, because we want to do all the things.)
Ideally, you have a thread where things make sense together – picking up with our previous example . . .
- Most important thing from mission/values: Affordability
- Most unique thing about library/institution: Many first-generation college students
- Current library goal: OER support
- Best data point now: Our OER efforts saved our students $50,000 in 2021-2022!
- Working on next: Reach – we will change our tracking so we can say something like: 50% of our departments are using OER.
The Project
This is an opportunity for you to practice talking about your library data and equity initiatives. You will create a visual aid and video. Multiple revisions of both are encouraged!
Goals
- Create a visual aid customized for your library in your preferred format (slides, infographic, web page, etc.)
- Practice talking about your data via a video you create.
You can choose to work together or alone. Each institution needs a visual aid and each person needs to talk on the video.
Visual Aid (required)
The first task is to create your first draft of your visual aid and provide feedback to a colleague on their visual aid.
Step 1 – Check out these two examples:
- Slides – /content/2022/5863960-DataLiterLib/vis-aid-example.pptx
- Sway – https://sway.office.com/XEb0G0SRns2EH3zC?ref=Link
Format – You are welcome to use one of the examples as your template. You do not have to use the examples. You are welcome to use whatever format/software/platform you wish for your visual aid.
Step 2 – Then customize for your situation (what is important to your library). Consider including these:
- Brief highlights of library with picture
- Key vision
- Biggest strength
- Biggest success
- Be sure to include data (important facts or a chart)
- Next steps
Be sure to add alt text for images!
Step 3 – Create a thread and upload your visual aid.
Step 4 – Engage with your colleagues by reading/listening/watching their threads, then asking questions or sharing ideas.
Step 5 – Once you have feedback, reflect and revise your visual aid.
Video (required)
The second task is to create your short video. You will record yourself, showing your visual aid and talking through it. In our session, we will show each video and have Q&A, about 3-5 minutes each, so 10 minutes total for each person/team.
Step 1 – Plan
- Some people like to write out what they are going to say, but this is not required.
- Ideally you will show your face at the beginning of the video. This helps the audience connect with your message. Be sure you have a professional background and decent lighting. Clothes with solid colors record best.
- Choose what you will use. Macs are a great choice if you have access to one. Laptop microphones on PCs aren’t great, so an external microphone is a good idea.
- Zoom or Mediaspace are fine options to record:
Step 2 – Record
- Talk to your audience, ideally, picture that you are speaking to a supportive champion.
- Record it at least three times. (Think of bloopers you have seen – even professional actors can’t get it right in one take.)
- For Zoom, you can go into your Personal Meeting Room, share your screen and record.
Step 3 – Edit
- Even with a great recording, you will still probably want to trim a bit off the beginning and/or end of the video: https://learning.kaltura.com/media/How+to+Trim+or+Clip+Media/1_g3s4aong
- Mediaspace has auto-captions and then you just need to tidy them: https://it.umn.edu/services-technologies/how-tos/kaltura-find-edit-captions
- You could add titles, transitions, or music, but this is not required.
Step 4 – Share
- You are welcome to post your video in our Discussion area if you want early feedback from your peers, but this is not required.
Extra Resources
Accessible documents:
Accessible videos:
