The Ins and Outs of Incorporating External Data
In September, we took a hiatus from The Public Library Blueprints to explore the 2023 Public Library Technology Survey Summary Report – an extensive analysis …
Library Research Service
The Library Research Service (LRS) is an office of the Colorado State Library. LRS thoughtfully collects, analyzes, and distributes data that is relevant and actionable to Colorado communities and empowers library staff to do the same.
Here you will find some cross-posts from the LRS blog. Visit the LRS website at LRS.org.
Gathering Word Clouds of Language Data
As hubs for diverse communities, our Colorado public libraries are proud to serve people of many different backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and nationalities. Newcomers to Colorado …
Continuing Education, CSL News, Learning, Library Research Service
CSL in Session Series: Everyday Evaluations
We are delighted to announce a three-part CSL in Session series, Everyday Evaluations, presented by the Colorado State Library’s Library Research Service! We’ve all been …
Public Libraries and Technology: Beyond the Public Library Survey
Discover what library staff are achieving across the nation to grow digital equity!
Welcome to the Tourism Community Library Designation
Read up on the recent changes to the Tourism Community Libraries designation…
A Search Through Local Revenue Sources
Explore the many ways that Colorado public libraries are funded and the factors to consider when working with this data.
Sparking Interest in Summer Reading
Learn how to use sparklines to your advantage while exploring data on summer reading programs across Colorado.
Accessible Survey Design
An accessible survey is key to ensuring the data collected is representative of all the communities a library serves.
Diverging Bar Charts for Connected Collections
As springtime sprouts across Colorado, it’s a fine time to unearth some data on another statewide system that benefits all library users. The interlibrary loan …
A Variety of Outreach Visualizations
Outreach is a hot topic in the library world, and one that the Library Research Service (LRS) has incorporated into the Public Library Annual Report …
Here’s a Hand with Histograms
Hello again, data folks! I’m excited to introduce a type of chart that we haven’t yet touched upon in The Public Library Blueprints – the histogram! Histograms …
Colorado Historic Newspapers, Library Research Service
Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection 2023 Fast Facts
Check out the second Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection Fast Facts report by Library Research Service at LRS.org! The Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection (CHNC) lives up …
Tracking Changes Through Time
Happy (belated) new year, library world! This time of year I often have to hesitate a moment before writing the date and find myself asking …
Mapping Colorado: Libraries Supporting Their Communities
Happy holidays, data detectives! At Library Research Service (LRS), we’re wrapping up our posts this year by charting libraries that took an extra step for their …
A Mini Post on Small Multiples
Small multiples certainly struck me as a confusing term the first time I heard it, so let’s jump straight into an explanation of what we’ll …
Accessibility, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion, Library Research Service
Careful Color Combos for All
One of the first times I gave much thought to what makes color I was playing with a rainbow suncatcher at my grandma’s house. Young …
Stacking Bar Charts to Breakdown Budgets
Happy fall to the library community! The official first day of autumn is still a day away, but the air is starting to have that …
Accessibility, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion, Library Research Service
Mastering Design and Accessibility with Pictograms (MLS Not Required)
We say a picture is worth a thousand words, but when it comes to data visualization, it’s up to the designer to make sure their …
How Do Colorado Public Libraries Stack Up?
From social media, to sports, to books and everything in between, almost anything can be compared these days. Of course, comparisons can be good or …
Making Space for Treemaps
Happy summer to the library community! Though the days have already started to shorten again, hopefully you all can find some time to enjoy the …