Illinois State University’s Milner Library will host Dr. Kate McDowell as the Bryant Jackson lecturer on Tuesday, April 15, at 10 a.m. on the library’s second floor. A reception will follow the lecture. The lecture and reception are free and open to the public.

McDowell is currently associate professor in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois. Her talk, titled “Library Data Storytelling and Information Wisdom,” will center around the question: what can you tell about your library data as a story? Attendees will learn how to bring data stories to life for library advocacy of all types, from sustaining the library to transforming its work, and will learn about ongoing research identifying classic library stories told to persuade decision-makers as part of the Data Storytelling Toolkit for Libraries project (IMLS). Tools academic libraries can use include:

• Strategies to understand data storytelling uses for academic libraries
• Reach different kinds of audiences such as students, administrators, and funders
• Adapt narrative structures to communicate information and emotion at the same time

McDowell’s interdisciplinary work examines how storytelling plays a vital role in humanizing data analysis and communication. She focuses on storytelling as information research, social justice storytelling, and how the history of library storytelling can enhance contemporary data storytelling. Her article Storytelling wisdom: Story, information, and DIKW theorizes storytelling as a fundamental information form. She leads the nationally-funded Data Storytelling Toolkit for Librarians project to equip libraries with narrative tools for data-informed advocacy, which has been used by over 1,000 librarians in over 50 countries so far. Her storytelling teaching was internationally celebrated with the ASIS&T Outstanding Information Science Teacher Award in 2022. 

The Bryant Jackson Lectureship was established in 2003 by former University Librarian Joe Kraus to honor his associate university librarian. Over a 26-year period, Jackson held numerous positions in Milner Library. The lectureship recognizes his dedication, excellence, and leadership. An annual event, the lectureship features prominent speakers and scholars in the field of library and information science.

If you need an accommodation to fully participate in this event or have any questions about events at Milner Library, contact Director of Marketing and Communications Michelle Neuffer.