The Public Libraries Working Group of the IFLA Statistics and Evaluation Section invites you to a webinar on leveraging data collection tools to engage communities and enhance service and strategic planning in public libraries. Join us to discover how libraries are effectively using data to inform their initiatives and better serve their patrons.

Public libraries in Canada, Norway, Poland, and Sweden are employing diverse data collection methods to gather community feedback, shaping the future of library services. Join us to explore four international perspectives that showcase how these libraries use community engagement data to guide their service planning. You’ll hear from four library leaders sharing their unique experiences in data collection and community engagement.

  • Date: November 26, 2024
  • Time: 10:00-11:00am EST
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Platform: Zoom

Whether you’re interested in using data collection tools to engage communities or want to learn how to utilize this data for improving service and strategic planning in public libraries, this session is for you. Don’t miss the chance to learn, connect, and grow!

Speakers:

Izabela  Koryś – Poland

Izabela Koryś is the head of the Library Development Unit at the National Library of Poland where she is responsible for monitoring library statistics and identifying relevant social and cultural trends. She is an experienced researcher. Izabela designs and implements both qualitative and quantitative surveys of reading and librarianship. She is also the board member of the NAPLE (The National Authorities on Public Libraries in Europe) and member of the IFLA Statistics and Evaluation Committee.

Isabella will discuss users and non-users in public libraries – while the first group is easily accessible for surveys and feedback, reaching non-users requires different measures depending on the resources available to the library. Examples of different approaches will be presented, as well as recommendations based on their results.

Shawn Mitchell – Canada

Shawn is Toronto Public Library’s (TPL) Director, Policy, Planning & Performance Management where he is responsible for leading TPL’s strategic planning, policy, research, evaluation, risk, data & analytics and performance management portfolios. Shawn is also an active elected member of IFLA’s North America Regional Division Committee and Statistics and Evaluation Committee. He has experience leading a number of research projects that assess the impact of public libraries.

In his presentation, Shawn will discuss a recent survey of Torontonians that gathered demographic data about TPL’s users, infrequent users, and non-users, as well as measured awareness of, attitude towards, and use of Toronto Public Library’s (TPL). He will highlight how the findings of this survey informs the library’s strategic plan.

Jannicke Røgler – Norway
Jannicke Røgler is the head of Trondheim Public Library. She has extensive experience as a library leader in both private and public sectors. Jannicke will give an overview of her role and key initiatives in statistics within Norwegian Public Libraries.

 

Ann Lundborg – Sweden

Ann Lundborg works with development issues within libraries and adult learning at the regional cultural administration in Skåne in southern Sweden. She is currently working on developing a regional library plan for 2026-2030. In Sweden, all municipalities and regions are required by law to have their own library plan that shows the strategic work going forward. Ann will provide an overview of the development of regional library plans in Sweden.