[Michlib-l] PUBLIB Digest - 15 Oct 2015 to 16 Oct 2015 (#2015-327)

[Marsh, Nyama]

Hello Elizabeth.

I recently have been looking at people counters since we are having trouble with ours. Turns out we just need new batteries. :-)

In the process of looking I received many positive recommendations for Sensource, which we currently use. Our counter is wireless and uses a break-beam to count. After my research, I am now considering an overhead thermal counter. A couple libraries let me know they purchased those in the last year and love them. They are much more accurate - but also more expensive to purchase. If you are a small library, cost may be a driving force. Do you want high accuracy for $2000 (per counter) or moderate accuracy for under $1000. 

Our break-beam system was purchased in 2011 for $750. It seems the batteries need replacing every 6 months to the tune of $50 for 4 batteries (they are special). The break beam does not need to be hard wired to the Ethernet so you can place it anywhere, rather it is wireless and requires batteries for power. 

If you get a thermal overhead one, then it has to be hardwired to Ethernet, which provides the electricity so there is no need for batteries. 

One library said this purchased this basic counter in the last year. http://www.peoplecounters.us/People-Counter.aspx# ($250!)

A couple libraries recently used Sensource for overhead thermal counters, and those seem to run about $2000 per counter. Also, the Sensource ones have software that enables you to run reports for counts up to every 5 minutes to determine busy and slow periods. I plan to track every 30 minutes. http://www.sensourceinc.com/intelligent-imaging-people-counters.htm

If you are adventurous, you can make a people counter out of a Raspberry Pi for under $100! Not sure how accurate it is...
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-People-Counter-with-Raspberry-Pi-an/

Have a wonderful day,
Nyama

Nyama Y. Marsh
Library Director
n.marsh at wfblibrary.org
414-755-6551 (direct line)

Whitefish Bay Public Library
5420 North Marlborough Drive
Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
414-964-4380 (main line)

"There are many ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all." ~Jacqueline Kennedy
“Leaders don’t force people to follow – they invite them on a journey.” ~ Charles Lauer

________________________________________
From: publib [PUBLIB at OCLC.ORG] on behalf of PUBLIB automatic digest system [LISTSERV at OCLC.ORG]
Sent: Friday, October 16, 2015 10:00 AM
To: PUBLIB at OCLC.ORG
Subject: PUBLIB Digest - 15 Oct 2015 to 16 Oct 2015 (#2015-327)

There are 4 messages totalling 266 lines in this issue.

Topics of the day:

  1. suggestions for gate counters
  2. (Last) Call for Speakers Internet at Schools track at Computers in Libraries
     2016
  3. STEM/STEAM programs for adults?
  4. (Job) Library Executive Director: Chicago suburbs

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date:    Thu, 15 Oct 2015 22:52:55 +0000
From:    Elizabeth Kreiter <Elizabethk at WARMAN.CA>
Subject: suggestions for gate counters

Hello!


The library I work in needs an electronic gate counter. We don't have magne=
tic gates and are not interested in installing them; I just need something =
that will count people as they enter the library. We currently use a hand-h=
eld clicker thing that we click every time someone enters the library, and =
I am amazed that everyone doesn't already have tendinitis.


I had been looking at the EZ People Counter with Data Recorder [http://shop=
.ezpeoplecounters.com/People-Counter-With-Data-Recorder-EZ-PC-DR.htm] but h=
eard that it might not be as robust as I'd hoped. Minimal installation requ=
irements, robustness, and easy maintenance are key criteria. All suggestion=
s welcome!


Thanks!

Elizabeth Kreiter
Community Librarian
The City of
WARMAN

Wheatland Library | #7-701 Centennial Blvd | Warman, SK | S0K 4S2 |
P: 306.933.4387
elizabethk at warman.ca<mailto:elizabethk at warman.ca> | www.warman.ca<http://ww=
w.warman.ca/>

 P Please consider the environment before printing this email.

Post to publib at oclc.org
To drop or change your list settings
http://listserv.oclc.org/scripts/wa.exe?REPORT
List archives at
http://listserv.oclc.org/archives/publib.html