Library Infographics and Reports
Infographic/Report
I saw a post on the Future Ready Librarians Facebook group asking about creating an infographic like this one on the right from the Framingham Public Library: https://framinghamlibrary.org/mcauliffe-branch. I decided to recreate something similar with six different software platforms. They are linked here to the right. Each one has a link to a copy or template you can copy and edit for your school.
Next level! Learn how to make your infographic interactive and automatic.
Holy cow... I asked Chat GPT 4 what should be included in a school library infographic. Check out what it said here.
Canva
Canva is great, and seems to just get better and better. One thing I was missing with Canva was Noun Project, but now they have a partnership! I also love how easy it is to share a template (force copy) version of a design.
Pros:
Intuitive editing
Good collection of elements with education version
Exciting new AI features
Cons:
Sometimes it's difficult to tell which elements I'm aligning
Preciseness of edits
Link to portrait infographic template
Here is a horizontal layout of the Canva template.
Adobe Express
I've loved Adobe products for as long as I can remember. Adobe Express (previously Spark) is a great set of tools and is free for teachers and students, like Canva for education.
Pros:
Love the color/theme mix-up options
Has some great templates
Firefly AI Image Tools
Auto-collage feature
Has great animation and video editing features
Cons:
Can't think of many... missing a "color mix" option
Here is a horizontal layout of the infographic.
Genially
Genially is not as well known as some other platforms, but it is a fun and versatile tool, especially for creating digital designs. Here is a link to their education page. The interactivity options are sweet!
Pros:
Intuitive interface
Great "continuous" animation options
Love the alignment guides/assist for objects
Cons:
Fewer design elements (icons/photos)
Not the best option for creating designs to be printed
Google Slides
Google Slides is familiar, and great for collaborations. Although adding images is intuitive, I don't love having to search the web for random photos and icons.
Pros:
Easy to use similar colors
Collaboration
Sharing
Cons:
Difficult to align things compared to other platforms
Lack of image gallery
PowerPoint
Honestly, I've not used PowerPoint in forever... I gave the Office 365 online version a go though. It was useable, but compared to the others, just not easy to get this design the way I wanted it.
Pros:
Icon library (clipart)
Somewhat familiar
Cons:
Not easy to align elements
Editing size and color of text is rough
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is my favorite piece of software in the Creative Cloud suite. It does take a little longer to learn, but it gives the most precise control over every design aspect compared to the other options. (
Pros:
Precise and powerful
Icon library (Noun Project plugin)
I love it 💙💙💙
Cons:
Not as intuitive as some of the online options (but there are lots of tutorials out there)
I asked Chat GPT a question:
What are some things that should be included in a school library infographic report?
An infographic report for a school library should be visually engaging, easy to understand, and packed with relevant information. Here are some essential elements to include in a school library infographic report:
1. **Title and Purpose:** Clearly state the title and purpose of the infographic. For example, "Annual School Library Report 2022-2023."
2. **Library Statistics:** Include quantitative data about the library, such as:
- Total number of books and other resources (e.g., e-books, audiobooks, DVDs)
- Number of new acquisitions in the reporting period
- Most popular or frequently borrowed books and resources
- Number of library users (students, staff, and community members)
- Number of user visits or checkouts during the reporting period
3. **Library Services:** Highlight the services that the library provides, such as:
- Workshops, webinars, or training sessions for students and staff
- Research assistance or guidance
- Collaborative spaces and study rooms
- Technology resources (computers, printers, 3D printers, etc.)
4. **Programs and Events:** Showcase any programs or events organized or sponsored by the library, such as:
- Author visits or book signings
- Reading challenges or book clubs
- Literary festivals or poetry competitions
- Community outreach programs
5. **Usage Patterns:** Display insights into how the library's resources and services are utilized, such as:
- Peak usage times
- Subject areas with the highest circulation
- Grade levels with the most frequent library use
- Online resources or databases with the most usage
6. **Budget and Funding:** Outline the library's budget and funding sources, including:
- Annual budget figures for acquisitions, programs, and staff
- Funding sources (e.g., school district, state grants, private donations)
- Breakdown of expenditures (e.g., books, technology, staff salaries)
7. **Goals and Future Plans:** Present the library's goals and plans for the future, such as:
- Increasing collection size or variety
- Expanding outreach programs
- Upgrading technology resources
- Offering new services or programs to meet user needs
8. **Visual Elements:** Use appropriate visuals to communicate information effectively, such as:
- Charts, graphs, or tables to represent data
- Icons or illustrations for services and resources
- Photos or images from library programs and events
- A color scheme that complements the content and appeals to the target audience
Remember to keep the infographic layout clean and user-friendly, using simple fonts and a logical flow of information to enhance readability.