Consolidate Your Library's Data using Google Data Studio & Alma Analytics API Connector

Abstract

This session presents the implementation of a shared and straightforward data consolidation platform using the free Google Data Studio dashboards and API connection to Alma Analytics.
Our initial objectives were:

Facilitate the use of data from isolated data sources
Encourage evidence-based decision-making
Communicate how UM Libraries’ activities support student learning and faculty research
Benefit from data in a consistent, library-wide manner
Implement a data consolidation solution tool that is (1) familiar, (2) flexible, (3) enables customized sharing options, and (4) reasonably priced

Google Data Studio’s core function is creating visual dashboards, where users can interpret multiple and diverse data sources in a clear and visually engaging manner. Data Studio can automatically ingest data from either pre-built data connectors (Google Analytics, MySQL, and Google Sheets) or any source with an API, allowing for real-time dashboards that aggregate information from various sources. All data sources can be easily imported manually as well.
As part of the initiative, an Alma Analytics API connector to Google Data Studio infrastructure was built and deployed. A “flexible schema” type of Data Studio Connector was chosen, enabling connection to datasets where the structure of the data is unknown. This ensures access to all Alma Analytics subject areas and fields. Now statistics from Alma Analytics, Google Analytics, and many other University of Miami Libraries’ data sources are filtered and displayed into a single report or even a single chart.