Introduction

We talk a lot about data in the library world, but many of us aren’t comfortable actually identifying “good” data and how to use it effectively. In order to help librarians address this, Jill Holman and I put together a PALS-funded innovation opportunity for Minnesota State librarians and staff to attend a short course around data literacy in July 2022. The application requirements were minimal. Potential attendees needed to share their “why” and their previous work with data, and they had to speak with their supervisor about their attendance and get their approval to attend. We were excited to extend an invitation for participation to 10 librarians and staff representing both college and university libraries.

The book you’re reading is the result of the work done by Jill Holman in preparation for the workshop and the projects developed by the participants of our data literacy intensive. You’ll find a range of library types, library workers, and projects, just like you’d find if you surveyed the Minnesota State system. We hope this is only the beginning of organized data literacy work in our system and encourage you to take from this whatever will help you along your path towards data literacy.

Johnna S. Horton
Executive Director of PALS