Door Counters for Libraries: Boost Efficiency

Unlocking the Benefits: Why Use Door Counters in Libraries?

Libraries are expanding their roles beyond traditional book lending. Many visitors come for purposes other than borrowing books, such as using computers for research. In this context, counting book checkouts does not accurately reflect true usage.

When administrators need a comprehensive understanding of how their facilities are being used,  counting visitors is more effective than merely tracking the number of books checked out or returned.

Using a Milesight door counter offers several distinct advantages for tracking library patronage:

• Accuracy

  A high-quality patron counter captures accurate traffic data. 

  Milesight's products employ various technologies to ensure optimal performance in libraries of all types and sizes. Notably, some of our patron counters achieve up to an impressive 99.8% accuracy. 

  Click to Discover the Door Counter With 99.8% Accuracy>>>

• Easy Installation

  Different installation options should be considered to accommodate various library sizes and configurations. It is especially important to remember that some libraries are located in very old buildings. In these cases, simple, non-destructive installations help preserve the building's structure and minimize disruptions, similar to installations in some museums.

  Milesight door counters can be installed in a variety of locations, including entrances, passages, corridors, and open rooms. We offer stable wired and flexible wireless connectivity options, along with less disruptive installation methods such as ceiling mounts and side mounts, to meet your specific needs and preferences.

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• Privacy Consideration

  Door counters in public spaces, such as libraries, must collect data without violating patrons' privacy. Milesight door counting sensors achieve this through discreet and anonymous operations.

  LoRaWAN® technology ensures secure data transmission. Additionally, technologies such as ToF, PIR, and thermopile do not collect personally identifiable information. These measures ensure anonymous detection and compliance with GDPR regulations.

  Learn More About Milesight Privacy Security Guide>>>

How Can Door Counters Help Libraries Improve Efficiency?

Door counters offer libraries valuable insights by tracking the number of patrons and the facility's occupancy. Traffic count data can be used to optimize staffing, improve resource allocation, and enhance the overall user experience. Here are several ways door counters can help libraries achieve these goals:

• Identify peak hours 

  By monitoring the number of patrons in real time, library people counters help identify peak times and low-traffic periods. This information allows libraries to allocate resources more effectively, such as adjusting HVAC systems and staff scheduling, leading to cost savings and boosting efficiency. Additionally, libraries can use this data to schedule events at optimal times, ensuring better attendance and resource utilization.

• Identify popular areas

  People counters track the number of visitors in customized areas and their dwell time. This data helps identify the most popular sections of the library, allowing for optimized resource use. Additionally, this information supports decision-making when budget cuts necessitate reducing services, ensuring that essential areas remain well-supported.

• Identify Seat Occupancy

  Monitoring space occupancy is another key feature of a library people counter, making them valuable for library operations. In libraries with limited seating, accurately monitoring whether a seat is occupied or available helps visitors find seating quickly and reduces disruptions caused by walking around. This not only enhances the customer experience but also provides valuable data on seat occupancy, enabling libraries to allocate resources and optimize operations effectively.

  See Milesight People Counter for Seat Occupancy>>>

• Optimize staff management 

  As previously mentioned, libraries can allocate staff resources based on patron counting data. Additionally, the Milesight door counter can identify employees through customizations like work tags with reflective stripes, offering more effective management possibilities for library staff oversight.

 

In addition to these applications, libraries can use the valuable data collected by door counters for deeper insights into their operations. Accurate and comprehensive data on patron traffic can also help libraries secure funding or support better management decisions.

See How Milesight Meets Your Different Needs>>>

Types of People Counting Technologies Commonly Used in Libraries

Milesight library door counters are empowered by various advanced people counting technologies, including AI, ToF (Time of Flight), PIR (Passive Infrared), thermopile, radar, and infrared beam technologies, to detect and track patron traffic and occupancy data accurately. 

 

AI

AI technology enhances patron counters by using machine learning algorithms to analyze visual or sensor data, allowing the people counting system to distinguish between humans and other objects. It improves accuracy by reducing false counts in complex environments like busy public areas and adapts to different conditions by learning from data inputs, ensuring reliable performance across various scenarios.

 

ToF (Time of Flight)

ToF (Time of Flight) technology measures the time it takes for light to travel from a sensor to an object and back, generating 3D depth information. This enables highly accurate distance measurements, even in low-light or challenging environments. ToF is particularly useful in people counting because it captures precise spatial data, reducing errors caused by overlapping objects or individuals in crowded spaces.

 

PIR (Passive Infrared)

PIR (Passive Infrared) devices detect movement by measuring changes in infrared radiation emitted by warm objects, such as people, as they move within the sensor's field of view. PIR sensors are cost-effective and energy-efficient, making them ideal for detecting human motion in low-light or indoor environments. 

 

Thermopile

Thermopile sensors measure infrared radiation to determine the exact temperature of a person, offering continuous and precise readings even when the person is stationary. Thermal sensors are ideal for applications that require accurate temperature measurements, such as thermal imaging or environmental monitoring, without needing movement to trigger detection.

 

Infrared Beam

Infrared Beam technology uses a focused beam of infrared light to detect when an object or person crosses the beam’s path. When the beam is interrupted, the system registers a count. This method is simple yet effective for controlling access or monitoring entry and exit points. It best suits environments with predictable movement patterns, such as door openings and gates.

 

RGB Camera

Monocular Technology

Monocular technology uses a single RGB camera to monitor a scene and RGB camera monocular technology uses a single camera with red, green, and blue sensors to capture color images of a scene. It processes these images to identify occupancy and count people based on their appearance and movement. The advantages include simplicity and cost-effectiveness, as it requires only one camera and can operate in various environmental conditions. This technology is suitable for various applications like monitoring foot traffic in stores, managing visitor numbers in public spaces, and detecting occupancy, providing valuable data for operational decisions. 

 

Binocular technology

Binocular Technology uses two cameras to capture images from slightly different angles, creating a 3D view. This helps the system count people more accurately by understanding depth and recognizing attributes like gender and facial recognition. Advantages include better accuracy in crowded or complex scenes and improved ability to distinguish overlapping individuals. This technology is ideal for applications requiring higher accuracy and more detailed data, enhancing crowd management and providing detailed insights into visitor demographics.

 

Radar 

Radar technology emits radio waves and analyzes the reflected signals to detect motion, speed, and distance. Radar is highly effective in detecting people in large or dynamic environments as it can track objects through walls and other obstacles. It performs well in varying light conditions and can handle high-traffic areas where accuracy and reliability are critical.

*Milesight radar sensor is set to launch in 2024 H2.

 

Milesight integrates these technologies into our people counting sensor series, offering different options for a wide range of application scenarios, from large open spaces like airports to small areas such as office meeting rooms. Whether indoors or outdoors, Milesight utilizes advanced technologies to meet the specific needs of each environment. With a variety of people counting technologies, our products are capable of delivering accurate and reliable results across diverse conditions, ensuring optimal performance in any space or situation.

 

Want to learn more about Milesight's products and technologies? Get a free consultation, share your needs and usage scenarios, and receive personalized guidance! 

Where Should Library Door Counters Be Placed？

When installing door counters in libraries, the placement of the sensors should vary depending on the library's size and specific circumstances. Key factors include the areas where foot traffic is to be measured, as well as the height and width of the space.

At the entrance, it is crucial to ensure the door counter covers the entire width of the doorway to avoid missed counts. Milesight library people counters can be cascaded seamlessly up to 8 units, efficiently expanding the detection area.

Since sensors are mounted at the door, considering outdoor or semi-outdoor usage should help reduce maintenance costs. Milesight products are designed for such scenarios, offering various levels of dirt protection for long-term durability and convenience.

Libraries may also need to count foot traffic in other indoor areas. Here, the interior design, such as ceiling height and potential obstructions, should be taken into account. For libraries with high ceilings, it is important to select people counters that work effectively at greater heights. For example, Milesight offers a high-mounting version of our counters. 

Additionally, objects like bookcases should be strategically placed to avoid obstructing the people counting sensors, which can be achieved by adjusting the position, height, and angle of the counters. Milesight products support a wide range of angle adjustments for fixed positions, ensuring the count of people accurately in various settings.

 

What Makes Milesight People Counters Stand Out? Explore Our Top Features

As mentioned earlier, door counters can provide libraries with valuable data to generate insights. To help customers achieve their application goals in settings like libraries, Milesight’s products are equipped with several features that make this vision a reliable reality:

 

• Versatile People counting

  Milesight people counters include basic features like Line Crossing People Counting and Regional People Counting. We also offer Dwell Time Detection to enable curators to gain more comprehensive insights.
   

• Advanced Detection Capabilities

  Milesight products offer a range of detection capabilities, including Staff Detection, Adult and Child Differentiation, Group Counting, and Tailgating Detection. These technologies cater to the diverse needs of our customers.
   

• More Advanced Features

  Milesight's door counter supports Multi-Device Stitching, allowing up to 8 devices to seamlessly expand the monitoring range. The Heat Map feature also provides intuitive data for libraries and various application scenarios.