Space Usage Study
We completed the fifth month of data collection and are beginning to identify several recurring trends during the third week of each month.
- Peak building occupancy typically occurs during the late morning (10 a.m.–12 p.m.) and early afternoon (1 p.m.–4 p.m.).
- The most consistently busy hour is 10 a.m.–11 a.m.
- Wednesday appears to be the busiest day overall, followed by Tuesday and Thursday.
- Saturday is the busiest weekend day, with peak activity occurring between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
- Traffic noticeably declines after 6 p.m. on most days.
- Wi-Fi user counts frequently exceed 100–200 users on busy days. Computer use on the second floor remains steady throughout the day.
- Programs drive visitation. For example, 331 people were in the building on Wednesday, March 18, between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Of note: There were several instances where no data was collected. We also have lump sum reporting for reference questions and in-house checks.
Digital Literacy Grant
The library is the recipient of a Digital Literacy Grant administered through the Southern Adirondack Library System (SALS) and the United Way of the Greater Capital Region, in collaboration with the Capital District Regional Planning Commission, the Upper Hudson Library System, and the Schenectady County Public Library.
As part of this grant, we will receive a mobile Chromebook lab with five devices and a Tech Tub charging station to store and charge them.
American Library Association Annual Conference
I appreciate the opportunity to attend this year’s American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in Chicago.
Networking and participating in ALA Council, the organization’s governing body, occupy much of my time at the conference. I also have opportunities to meet with businesses and nonprofit organizations that support library work, as well as attend continuing education sessions.
One highlight was attending Emily Martin’s presentation on our Read to Recovery program. She devoted considerable effort to the presentation, and it showed. Although I may be biased, it was one of the most interesting sessions I attended.
I want to share some key resolutions that were passed at the ALA Council.
- The Librarian’s and Library Workers’ Bill of Rights was adopted as an official statement of principle and practice. Please read the press release discussing the Library Workers’ Bill of Rights and consider endorsing and adopting the work at a future meeting.
- ALA Council affirmed that libraries serve as essential civic and economic infrastructure in communities. The Committee on Legislation and the Committee on Advocacy are working with the appropriate ALA offices and federal elected officials and staff to help gain support for funding aging buildings to make them modern, accessible, energy efficient and resilient to extreme weather.
- ALA Council adopted the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Working Group’s AI Guidance for Libraries document. It is a living document and a future iteration will address copyright issues and have a greater representation of school librarians’ perspectives.
- ALA Council unanimously approved the Resolution on Library Card Access Policies as a Form of Social Equity. The resolution calls for further consideration of findings from the Library Card Access Research Report published by the Brooklyn Public Library and Avenue M Group in April 2024. The Saratoga Springs Public Library has already implemented many of the report’s recommendations.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Ferriss