The Fabric of Librarianship, Literally: Collaborative Storytelling Through Craft and Data

Data and its visualization are often—though not always— used for good reason in libraries to understand our collections, patrons, and internal processes. They also help us make sense of the vast amount of information surrounding us and tell memorable stories. Yet, the need to approach data critically is ever-present and often overlooked. Moving beyond traditional applications of data opens up opportunities for new forms of reflection and critique. Creating a data physicalization—using physical craft to represent a data visualization—slows down the process of engaging with data, creating space for more deliberate, critical examination. In this interactive presentation, participants will be introduced to these ideas in more depth and guided through the collaborative crafting of a shared data physicalization quilt as a means of story processing and storytelling of the librarian experience.