Data-driven decisions : a practical toolkit for library and information professionals /

Written in a straightforward and concise style, this guide is a good resource on the use of data to inform the process of decision-making and to validate a commitment to an action plan, especially for librarians and information professionals. It gives a good overview of the concepts of data science without being too detailed. Stubbing (Univ. of Westminster, UK) delineates the main concepts and then delves deeper into distinct technical terms with realistic ideas on how to form data-driven decisions. As a step-by-step guide the book provides a good understanding of data collection, especially in its analysis of diagnosing, predicting, prescribing, and informing decision-making in libraries. Particularly interesting is the discussion of the use of data garnered from digital and social media to inform organizational choices in the library. Replete with illustrations, the case studies provide in-depth, detailed investigations of data and its application in real-life situations, adding a contextual analysis to data collection. Engaging for both those just beginning their graduate work and those who have experience in the the field, this volume provides a valuable perspective on the various benefits of data gathering. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, researchers, faculty, and professionals. --Bela Gupta, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth