June 4, 2015

Question

Scott Dermont (IA)

I received this message below from one of my libraries. I’m rather intrigued by this, but I’m not sure if it should count as a program. Does anyone else have anything like this that is being counted? I guess this could fall under the category of “passive” programming. Maybe just count the number of “attendees” without a program count? Or count it as one program? Or don’t count at all?

Thanks as always for your collective wisdom.

SDC Comments

Cecilie Maynor (TN)

What a great idea.

First thought:

I would want them to count it as a program and count the signed-in as program attendees.

Jamie McCanless (WI)

Well, by definition it’s not a program.

It’s a type of passive programming that, in Wisconsin, we call a drop-in activity. The PLS doesn’t collect data for drop-in activities.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (608) 266-3939 or jamie.mccanless@dpi.wi.gov.

Megan Schulz (KS)

Is there a way to ask in the guest book how many are with you today or something like that? Though maybe each adult will sign but not record their children. I know that I sign guest books but my husband does not.

We do something similar when we hold webinars as we know that some library staff members sit at one computer together for a training session and that is how we capture all who attend. We ask if you have a viewing watch party to type in the chat how many are at your location.

Just a thought.

Scott Dermont (IA)

I think that is a good point about counting guest sign-ins. My problem with this as that there is really no verification. What keeps a person from adding a number next to their name, even if they are alone. There really is no oversight to the attendance. That and Jamie’s point about drop in activities is swaying me towards a no count.