Data Use Toolkit: Advanced Data Tools

Posted on Updated on
Introduction
Get Started
Data Story
Local Sources
National Sources
Info Gathering
Dashboards
Hands-on Work
Advanced Tools
Resources

Advanced data tools: Expanding your analytical capabilities

This section introduces more advanced tools and techniques for public libraries looking to move beyond basic reporting and visualization. It highlights software to design interactive dashboards, mapping, predictive analytics, and linking library data with community datasets to gain deep insights and inform long-term planning. 

Warning: This section may not be suitable for data newbies or the faint of heart!

Tableau (Tableau Public is free, Tableau Desktop requires a license) – Tableau is one of the better known business intelligence and data visualization tools currently available. It can be used to build standalone charts and graphs as well as more advanced analytical dashboards. The software allows novice users to quickly create simple data visualizations that conform to best practices, but it also has customization and formatting options available for advanced users to build complex dashboards and animations.

Power BI (Microsoft; free, licensed versions have more features available) – Great for integrating with Microsoft 365 and creating automated reports.

Looker Studio (Google; free, paid version available) – Free, ideal for dashboards that link Google data sources.

Flourish (free, with paid plans available) – Flourish is an online data visualization tool that allows users to upload or copy and paste their data into available templates for dozens of different chart types, including maps, animated graphs, and interactive graphics. Flourish is owned by Canva, allowing integration of Flourish visualizations with Canva projects. 

OpenRefine (free, open source) – OpenRefine is a data cleaning and transformation tool.

TIP: Something here about referring people to section 2.3 data privacy and using public/free products – PII info

ArcGIS – Comprehensive GIS platform, best for detailed mapping and spatial analysis.

QGIS – Free, open-source alternative for mapping and spatial data.

Google Maps – Quick visualizations of service areas and patron locations.

US Census Geocoder – Convert addresses to geographic coordinates, link to census data.