November 6, 2015
Question
Kristen Stehel (UT)
Here is the issue I received from a large library system, Salt Lake City Public Library:
"I have been trying to determine a number for the survey for # 652 Number of times (sessions) patrons used the wireless network.
I do wish they would be more specific. We have two wireless networks for patrons. The don't login they connect. They could be on for 1 minute or 12 hours. I was going to use our 3 months count of how many people were counted all locations using a non-library device. This is an hour count not a session count. Do you have any clue what the intent of this question is? For example how many hours of use your WIFI got or simply connections. There is a huge difference in reporting these figures. If I am looking at hours I am going to give you 293.750 hours. If I am giving you a snap shot on connects to WIFI it will be it will be about 45% percent of that number."
SDC Comments
Laura Stone (AZ)
Hi Kristen,
While I agree that this definition is not detailed, it does say “wireless sessions provided by the library.” I think this includes both sessions that a patron must login for, and sessions that are connections into the wifi.
I would read/review 652 in parallel with 651, Numbers of Uses (Sessions) of Public Internet Computers Per Year. I think the intent is that a session will equate to a visit, but we all know that sessions are of different time lengths, and libraries manage them differently. Without asking for a spreadsheet of metrics, it at least gives us a snapshot.
Scott Dermont (IA)
Also, my understanding was that this count includes staff use of wireless. This is total wireless use, not just use by patrons.
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