Patterns in Academic Library Computer Use

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Patterns in Academic Library Computer Use
Tito SierraNorth Carolina State UniversityTRLN
Annual Meeting 2009July 24, 2009
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Outline

• Computing at the D. H. Hill Library
• Motivation of Study
• Data Analysis Methodology
• Findings
• Usage by Semester Week
• Usage by Hour
• Usage by Location
• Usage by Platform

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Computing at the D. H. Hill Library
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D. H. Hill Library

• Main library on the NC State campus
• 266 library managed computers
• Multiple computing platforms
• PC
• Mac
• Sun Ray Thin-client
• 11 computing locations on 9 floors

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(No Transcript)
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Ground Floor (Entrance)
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West Wing
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Learning Commons
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Digital Media Lab
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Tower
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Distribution by Location
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Distribution by Platform
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Motivation of Study
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Why Study Computer Usage?

• From a pragmatic POV, this analysis can inform
  decision-making in areas such as space
  management, staff support scheduling, and
  computer purchasing

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Why Study Computer Usage?

• From a strategic POV, this analysis provides a
  tangible metric for describing the value of
  library services, specifically the use of the
  library physical space

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Specific Questions

1. When are computers in greatest demand?

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Specific Questions

1. When are computers in greatest demand?
2. What computing locations are most popular?

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Specific Questions

1. When are computers in greatest demand?
2. What computing locations are most popular?
3. Are some computing platforms (PC, Mac) more
   popular than others?

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Specific Questions

1. When are computers in greatest demand?
2. What computing locations are most popular?
3. Are some computing platforms (PC, Mac) more
   popular than others?
4. What trends in computer usage do we see over time?

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Data Analysis Methodology
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Data Collection

• Snapshot of total computers in use
• Utilization percentage
• Segmented by location and platform
• Census every 15 minutes
• 12,096 counts per semester
• Scope of this study
• Spring 2008
• Spring 2009

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Utilization Example 1

• Wednesday 4/22/09, 245pm
• Digital Media Lab
• 9 out of 18 computers in use
• Utilization 50

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Utilization Example 2

• Wednesday 4/22/09, 245pm
• Learning Commons
• 92 out of 99 computers in use
• Utilization 93

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Out of Scope

• Login counts
• How many logins a day/semester?
• Login durations
• How long is a user session?
• User profiling
• What software applications are used?
• Who is using computers (grad/undergrad)?

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Usage Patterns
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Usage by Semester Week
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Usage by Semester Week
Y - axis Utilization Percent (Averaged)
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Usage by Semester Week
Spring Break
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Usage by Semester Week
Spring Holiday (Easter)
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Usage by Semester Week
Dead Week (last week of classes before finals)
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When is Demand Greatest?

• Computer usage steadily increases up until Spring
  Break, then builds up again to peak just before
  finals

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Usage by Time of Day
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Usage by Time of Day
Data anomaly w/ Sun Rays (should be smooth)
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Usage by Time of Day
500 AM to 900 AM
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Usage by Time of Day
1100 AM to 100 PM
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Usage by Time of Day
600 PM to 800 PM
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Usage by Time of Day
900 PM to 1000 PM
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When is Demand Greatest?

• Computer usage peaks around lunchtime and early
  afternoon, with a lesser peak occurring after
  dinner

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When is Demand Greatest?

• Computer usage peaks around lunchtime and early
  afternoon, with a lesser peak occurring after
  dinner
• Surprising?

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Usage by Location (Weekly)
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Usage by Location (Hourly)
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Usage by Location (Busiest Week)
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Usage by Location (Busiest Week)
1000 AM to midnight
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Location Preferences?

• Usage of computers in the Learning Commons is
  consistently greater than usage of computers in
  all other regions throughout the semester

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Usage by Platform (Weekly)
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Platform Preferences?

• Usage of PCs is consistently greater than Mac
  usage in all locations throughout the semester by
  a small margin
• Sun Rays are relatively unpopular
• (despite great real estate!)

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Usage by Platform (Weekly)
???
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Spring Break Oddness

• During Spring Break, Mac and Sun Ray usage drops
  precipitously, but PC usage remains relatively
  high

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Spring Break Oddness

• During Spring Break, Mac and Sun Ray usage drops
  precipitously, but PC usage remains relatively
  high
• Why?

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Usage by Platform (Weekly)
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Selective Seasonality

• The spike in computer usage at the end of the
  semester does not apply to the Sun Ray
  Thin-client computers

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Thanks!

• Tito Sierra
• Digital Library Initiatives
• North Carolina State University Libraries
• tito_sierra_at_ncsu.edu