Dear Colleagues,

First, I must apologize for the length of this message.  The time you spend reading it is appreciated. 

I have received a small number of questions regarding the new data element on next year’s annual survey called Wireless Sessions (mentioned in a previous email).  Most of the questions were asking for ways to collect this data, but before I address that I wanted to mention that due to IMLS’s process of new data element implementation the data collected on this element for next year’s annual survey will not be part of that year’s IMLS data publication.  It will only be used to test the efficacy of the data element.

As I said, many of the questions I received expressed confusion about how to reliably collect this data with the hardware and staff knowledge that libraries possess.  In speaking with my fellow data coordinators in other states I have collected the methods that their libraries use to capture this data.

1. Wireless hardware session logging – Some wireless routers have the ability to log the number of sessions per unit time.  Each wireless router is different and you would have to consult with your IT person (if available) or the router’s manufacturer to see if this is possible with your hardware.

2. Physical estimate – for libraries whose hardware does not perform the function outlined above, a physical estimate can be done to approximate the number of wireless users.  This is similar to the methods that some libraries use to estimate visitors when a door counter is not available.  The library could set aside one week during the year that would be representative of the average level of use and have a volunteer walk the floor of the library and count the number of people with laptops, tablets, etc.  While this method is not completely accurate it is better than nothing.

3. Commercial software – Some states’ libraries use commercial software to not only monitor traffic on their network but to also count the number of users of the wireless network.  Some solutions my colleagues suggested are:

·         Google Analytics  (requires a captive portal or splash page) http://www.google.com/analytics/   

·         Cisco Meraki - https://meraki.cisco.com/  

·         Aerohive - http://www.aerohive.com/  

·         Pfsense - https://www.pfsense.org/  

·         Who’s On My WiFi http://www.whoisonmywifi.com/

·         Polaris Wireless Access Manager

Again, each of these software solutions may or may not have a fee attached so you would have to research that and make a local determination if that is something your library would find of value.

I would be more than happy to discuss this further with any of you either via email or at the upcoming NJLA conference.  Also, if any of you know of a solution that I have not mentioned please let me know and I will share it with the group.

Best regards,

Bob Keith

Data Coordinator

New Jersey State Library

185 W State Street

Trenton, NJ 08625

P: 609-278-2640x192

F: 609-278-2652

rkeith@PROTECTED