Developing a library-based data visualization service

Authors

• DJ Joubert
• L Federer
• CW Belter
• MA Davis
• A Deardorff

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the planning, development, and implementation of a Data Visualization service. Brief Description: This poster describes the efforts of the NIH Library to engage NIH and HHS staff around the topics of data and network visualization, geographic information systems (GIS), and data management. We discuss the methods used to assess the data visualization needs of NIH and HHS staff, evaluate our training series, and start a data visualization community of practice. Finally, we describe the process of mapping this initiative to the library’s four strategic themes, the development of staff competencies, and the challenges encountered. Results/Outcomes: To better understand the data visualization needs of NIH and HHS staff, we sent out a needs assessment survey asking about the types of data researchers would want to visualize and the visualization tools of interest to them. The results of this survey will help us deliver targeted visualization services that are useful to NIH and HHS staff. Conclusion: This initiative is still ongoing. To date we have developed a data visualization training series and an online guide to expose customers to data visualization tools, resources, and additional training opportunities. We are also piloting Pinterest and Tumblr to engage customers and start a dialogue about data visualization, GIS, and data management. Finally, we designed and implemented evaluative measures to assess our training courses and to gauge additional topics, services, and software that may be of interest to NIH and HHS staff.

Scientific Focus Area: Research Support Services

This page was last updated on Friday, March 26, 2021