Case study: It takes a team in DeKalb
This case study was developed by the Data for Good project team to share the range of activities and approaches taken by libraries that implemented a Data for Good program.
About the community and the library
The DeKalb County Public Library serves the 764,382 people who live in DeKalb County, Georgia1 through 23 branch locations. Library staff describe the county as “extremely diverse,” with a majority Black population of 52.4%. English is the primary language spoken in homes (81%), and the median income is $77,169.2 When talking with Data for Good (D4G), library staff highlight that each community in the county is different and that they recognize the importance of customizing services to effectively serve local needs.
The DeKalb D4G team
Essential to DeKalb’s D4G success is the relationship of the three librarians who learned data analytics and visualization together. When asked what made their team successful, the trio noted the need for:
- Ongoing communication between all team members.
- Trust that each member of the team will do their part and speak up if they need help.
- Setting and honoring deadlines to keep the project moving forward.
- Having one person take on a leadership role to keep everyone coordinated and on track.
- Being accountable to each other to complete tasks.
- Embracing the learning process together. Recognizing that each team member does not have all of the answers and is willing to move away from the expert role.
Learning as a team
Prior to participating in the D4G initiative, team members describe their experience with data analysis and visualization differently. One team member noted, “Before this [D4G] I had no idea how to use [Google] Sheets or Excel correctly. And I still would not call myself an expert by any means. But I know what to look for now.” Overall the team excitedly talks about how together they gained confidence in their skills and knowledge through hands-on learning, and are excited to continue advancing in these areas in support of their communities.
What's next for the team?
The summer of 2024 was a big one for the DeKalb team. They facilitated their first D4G series for teens, titled "Digital Navigator." The goal of the series was to help students gain technical and soft skills in support of career development. The team designed a six-week/15-session series.
- Designed for students between 14 and 19 years old.
- Teen participants received a stipend for their participation in the initiative.
- Recruited through schools and community organizations with which the team had prior relationships.
- Information sessions were held virtually and in-person before applications were due.
- 15 students applied for the cohort with participation capped at eight.
- Applications required students to have recommendations from teachers, whose feedback was critical, and others that were outside of the teen’s family or family friend group.
- The program focuses on Excel, Google Sheets, data visualization, and other digital literacy skills.
- Sessions included team-building activities, games, and continual review of concepts.
- At the end of each session students completed an evaluation that asked them to consider how the session went, what they would like to learn more about, and levels of confidence related to topics covered.
What the team is looking forward to
Each member of the DeKalb team is looking forward to continuing to learn about data analytics and visualizations and continuing to learn about the local community through D4G activities. Activities team members are eagerly anticipating include:
- Continuing to build relationships with teen participants and their parents through D4G activities.
- Seeing teens get excited about learning new skills that will help them in the future.
- Using data analytics and visualization skills to make decisions about library programs and services - for example, what does data tell staff about the best times for the library to be open?
Each member of the team plans to continue using skills learned in their practice and in the programs that they develop for teens and adults.
Getting a D4G team started at your library
As you think about bringing D4G to your library, you might consider:
Who do I work with that I’d want to have on a D4G team?
- Who do I already have a relationship with?
- Who do I trust to work with as we learn about data analytics and visualization?
- Who can I work with that will complement the skills that I bring?
- Who do I like to work with?
- Who has the time to devote to learning, design, and implementation
What skills/knowledge would be useful to have on the team? (Each team member does not need to bring all of the skills to the endeavor instead you can build a team where different members bring complementary skills)
- Knowledge of the community - including relationships with community members, vested partners, and/or decision-makers.
- Flexible mindset - willing to change plans and re-imagine ideas based on learning.
- Project management - ability to keep timelines and able to motivate other team members to keep going.
- Openness to learning new things - including data analytics and visualization and learning how to facilitate opportunities to gain skills in those areas
- Technology comfort - team members do not need to be advanced users of technology and data analytics. They do need to be comfortable with trying out new things and learning by doing.
- Time to participate fully - it’s critical that team members are able to take the time necessary to build data analytics and visualization skills while at the same time work with community members and customers to create opportunities for building those skills outside of the library’s four walls.
Learn more
Additional Data for Good case studies from the Providence Public Library (RI), Pottsboro Public Library (TX), and the Rhode Island School of Design are also available.
Project curriculum
The Data for Good curriculum is available for anyone to replicate and adapt into a training program in their community. The curriculum is a set of project-based lessons that guide adult or teen learners in achieving the skills they need to analyze data. There are 14 lessons, each with a lesson plan packet, slide decks, and activities for learners.
The curriculum is published under a Creative Commons license for anyone to reuse and repurpose.