[OPLINTECH] Public Internet computer session length?

[Joe Knueven]

If you’re going to switch from sessions to a count of time, I would prefer minutes to hours.  The bad part, from what I see, is that if this change is made, it will be to ask us to count minutes/hours and sessions.  The benefit to sessions is that they can be roughly translated into “people served” by a library, so that in aggregate IMLS or whoever can say that “public libraries provided computers to XX people last year/month/decade/etc”.  If you have only minutes, you end up with a less humanized and more abstract statistic in terms of arguing the value of libraries.

After all, if one kid comes to my library for 8 or 9 hours using the computer in one or two marathon sessions, is his/her use more valuable than the 5-10 adults who come through and also use a computer, but for much shorter time periods?

Have a good day.

Joe


Joseph Knueven
Director
Germantown Public Library
51 N. Plum St.
Germantown, OH 45327
937-855-4001
joe at gtownlibrary.net

From: OPLINTECH [mailto:oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org] On Behalf Of Tim Burns
Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2016 8:38 AM
To: oplintech at lists.oplin.org
Subject: [OPLINTECH] Public Internet computer session length?

Given the perceived difference in “session” — Give thought to the reported statistic, the usage count… Rather than count (undefined) sessions translate the session to time and report minutes. (I’m reminded of “The Peterkin Papers”)

Of course data transferred is already counted/logged, it’s probably a better indicator the service provided to Ohio tax payers.

Tim Burns
Birchard Public Library of Sandusky County Ohio
tim.burns at birchard.lib.oh.us<mailto:tim.burns at birchard.lib.oh.us>
telephone: (419) 334-7101 extension: 239



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