Well hello there! Welcome to my little book about all things data. Delightful to have you here.

I can assume that the fact that you have begun this introductory chapter means one of three things:

• • You love data and you will read any book which covers the topic.

• • You don't love data but appreciate the need to learn more about it.

• • You picked this up by accident and are now regretting your choice.

Whatever your reason for picking up this tome today, I hope it allows you to love and use data a little bit more than you did before.

About the author

It feels uncomfortable to start with a section about myself, but as you will find out when you delve further into this book, context is everything, and I’m not about to deprive you of it here!

If you had asked me ten years ago what I would spend most of my time learning and discussing in my career, I can guarantee that data would not have come anywhere near the top of the list. I was never bad at maths, but I was never in love with it. I loved the arts and reading, and I dropped subjects like maths and science as soon as possible to pursue more theatrical endeavours. This culminated in me taking a degree in Music and English where the maths and statistics part of my brain was left to gather dust.

In the early days of my career, I spent most of my time working with charities to improve the care system and the support offered to children in care and care leavers (like myself). My experiences working with the care system were formative in my decision to move into libraries for my career. I started working in libraries because I believe that they are a great equaliser, and that libraries can be the difference between someone succeeding in their goals and not having the opportunity to even try. There were also other more surprising takeaways which have stuck with me and influenced my approaches.

After my graduate traineeship at the London Library, my first full-time professional post in the information profession was at a private school library. I naively thought that because the school was so well funded and the library so well presented, we wouldn't have to fight to be seen as relevant, or for funding, or to be used appropriately.