1. Infographics What, Why, & How Anne Hamland, Communications Coordinator
Wisconsin Valley Library Service, Wausau
WiLSWorld July 2017

2. Infographic vs. Data Visualization
Both: visually represent data, accessible to audience
Infographics are created for a reason/purpose = subjective, can contain data visualization, qualitative elements, advocacy
Data Visualization should be objective with all data represented/unedited, quantitative, massive, no context
Jack Hagley, “What’s the difference between and Infographic and Data Visualization?”

3. What is an infographic? Components
Data, icons, images, text, that work together to tell a story.
Always a purpose, call to action.
The story of the creator, YOU!
Libraries matter: 18 fantastic library infographics
Pikochart user 26reasonsroad3 

4. What is an infographic? Types
Map: Showcases data trends based on location
Versus: Compares two things in a head-to-head study
Timeline: Tells a story through a chronological flow
List: Supports a claim through a series of steps
Flowchart: Provides a specialized answer to a question via reader choices
Visual Article: Makes a piece of writing more visual
Data Visualization: Communicates data through charts, graphs, and/or design
And more!
The 7 Common Types of Infographic: Easelly,

5. Why? : Real-World Uses for Information Visualization in libraries
“Clearly, and in a compelling manner…information graphics can do more than just present numbers. They offer a medium for individuals to tell their story, engage and convince their readers, and invite them to make a personal connection to the data.”
Hsuanwei Michelle Chen. “Real-World Uses for Information Visualization in libraries.” Chapter 4, Library Technology Reports, April 2017.

6. Why? : Purpose Audience Purpose drives design and content
What will you use it for? Who is your audience? What do they need to know?
<Greatest.com

7. Qualitative Data Where can you get Qualitative data?
Patron pictures with quotes: jot down quotes with permission, print and online feedback forms for service/programs/website everything!
Word, Survey Monkey, Google Forms, Jot Form …
Pictures with permission. Does your library have a photography/videography policy you can use? Group pictures!
Major projects/hurdles
Patron submissions! 1,000 Bks, Programs, Projects
Community Partnership impact statements
Did you know? Facts.

8. Total Reference Desk Hours
# Volunteers
Program Attendance
Annual
Report
Computer use hours
Author Visits
Quantitative Data
Meeting/Study
Room Uses
# Donations
History/Gen. Club Visits
Where can you get Quantitative data?
What numbers are important to you and your infographic’s purpose? Examples?
Annual reports: library visits, computer usage, program attendance anything BUT circulation PLEASE, okay fine.
Library visits, library programs, summer reading participants, circulation reports and more!
Community Partnerships, count em up! Include logos and project titles.
Library Visits
# Donators
Registered Borrowers
Laptop Loans
Reference
Questions
Answered
# Clubs Who Meet
WIFI
Uses
Summer Reading Participants
Public Computer Uses
Total Volunteer Hours
Storytimes Per Staff
# Attendees for Tech Skills Classes
New Addresses Created
Database Uses
# New Programs
Total Reference Desk Hours
1,000 Books B4 K Finishers
Tax Forms Dist.

9. Qualitative/Quantitative Data
L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library: 2016 Annual Report Get personal! Behind the scenes. Book Bikes! Visuals!

10. How? : Prepare Think about the story you want to tell.
I have the data and stories, now what?
Think about the story you want to tell.
Consult basic design principles.
Creative Bloq, Usability.gov, Adobe Color CC, tons of resources out there with simple search.
Sketch it out! Grab a pencil and paper and draw, re-draw, and draw again!
What images might match with your content? Icons or pictures? Font?
WVLS.org/marketing-infographics/

11. GIMP How? : Tools Original images, made by you Icons, Images, Galore!
No/Low cost images, fonts, graphics, & more!
Always check license information and requirements before use.
Fonts
Images
dafont.com
canva.com
impallari.com
flickr.com
fontsquirrel.com
pixabay.com
freeimages.com
Icons/Graphics
morgueFile
bing/images
The Noun Project
freedigitalphotos.net
Icons8.com
freerangestock.com
freephotosbank.com
GIMP

12. How? : Free Programs
Build Your Infographic- What do you have experience with?
Microsoft, Publisher, Word, PowerPoint, check your existing software.
Free/Free Versions
Piktochart
Canva
Venngage
Infogr.am
Postermywall

13. Thank you! A big thank you to:
Marc Neufeld, DoIT Academic Technology, UW-Madison
“Infographics: Turning Data into Narrative” WiLSWorld 2016, workshop
Indianhead Federated Library System
Anne Hamland
Communications Coordinator, Wisconsin Valley Library Service