Use Cases/Library Patron Usage
Library Directors & Data Analysts
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Used by 2,000+ Library Patron Usage teams this month

End the Guesswork: Achieve Perfect Patron Usage Data.

Replace Inaccurate Gate Sensors with Context-Aware, Real-Time Tallying for Defensible Grant Reporting.

No sign-up required • Free to start

System Operational • Last updated: February 2026

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Patron Door Count

Live

Why Library Directors & Data Analysts Choose SnapCount

Purpose-built features for library patron usage professionals

Zero Hardware Maintenance

Ditch the expensive calibration contracts and sticky floor mats associated with gate sensors. SnapCount runs entirely on existing staff devices (tablets, phones, desktops).

Defensible Grant Reporting

Provide auditors with contextualized, time-stamped data proving usage for specific high-value programs, not just relying on general, error-prone door swings.

Real-Time Staff Load Balancing

Instantly visualize where patron traffic is highest (circulation, reference, or media lab) and redeploy staff in real-time to manage peak flow efficiently.

How to Count Patron Door Count with SnapCount

Get your library patron usage counting session running in three simple steps. No downloads, no sign-ups, no hardware needed.

Step 1

Create a Free Session

Click "Start Counting" and you'll have a live library patron usage counting session in under 30 seconds. No account required — just open your browser on any device and begin tracking patron door count, reference desk interactions, program attendance immediately.

Step 2

Set Up Your Counters

Add as many counters as your library patron usage workflow requires. Label each one to match what you're tracking — whether that's patron door count or reference desk interactions. Share the session link with your team so everyone can contribute counts from their own device.

Step 3

Count Together in Real Time

Every tap syncs instantly across all connected devices. Library Directors & Data Analysts can count simultaneously from different locations while the totals update live. When you're done, export your patron door count data to CSV or Excel for reporting and analysis.

The Problem & The Solution

The Problem with Relying on Electronic Door Counts

Your electronic gate sensors are fundamentally flawed for accurate grant reporting. They struggle with directional flow—a patron entering, using the restroom, and exiting often registers as two distinct visits, artificially inflating your usage metrics. Worse, staff members often forget to badge out, skewing the daily service desk staffing ratios. You are reporting data based on a system that constantly forces the Director of Operations to manually scrub outliers and guess at the true circulation data.

When the sensor count spikes, you have no immediate context. Was it a highly successful children's storytime or simply a rush of students using the free Wi-Fi? Gate counts cannot differentiate between general circulation foot traffic and high-value reference desk interactions. This lack of specific, contextualized data makes justifying budget increases for specialized programs incredibly difficult when the data is just a single, meaningless aggregate number.

⚠️Stop relying on gate sensors and manual counting methods.

SnapCount: Contextual Data Synced for Library Success

SnapCount solves the context problem by turning every service point into a real-time data input station. When the staff member at the main entrance counts the incoming Patron Door Count, the Reference Librarian sees that number update instantly on their synced dashboard. If a major library program (like a tax preparation clinic) is driving the spike, staff can tag the count immediately, ensuring your circulation data is clean and accurate before it even hits the grant application form.

Grant applications demand proof of service desk interactions and technology usage, metrics gate sensors cannot track. With SnapCount, you deploy multiple counters simultaneously—one for 'Computer Sign-ups,' one for 'One-on-One Consultations,' and one for 'General Ingress.' All these streams merge into a single, unified dashboard, allowing your data analyst to view peak flow across the entire facility without waiting for end-of-day spreadsheet consolidation.

Get started in seconds — no setup required.

Built for Library Patron Usage Teams

Everything you need to count, track, and analyze patron door count, reference desk interactions, program attendance

Real-Time Sync

Sync library patron usage data across all your devices in real-time. No delays, no conflicts.

Export & Analyze

Export patron door count, reference desk interactions, program attendance counts to Excel or CSV for detailed analysis.

Team Collaboration

Multiple library directors & data analysts can count simultaneously with live updates.

Instant Setup

No hardware, no installation. Start counting patron door count in under 30 seconds.

How Library Directors & Data Analysts Use SnapCount for Library Patron Usage

Library Directors & Data Analysts across the library patron usage industry rely on accurate, real-time counting to make informed decisions. Whether you're tracking patron door count, reference desk interactions, program attendance, or managing counts across multiple locations, SnapCount replaces fragmented manual processes with a single collaborative tool. Instead of passing clipboards, shouting numbers, or reconciling spreadsheets at the end of the day, your entire team counts into one shared session that updates instantly.

Traditional methods like gate sensors break down when multiple people need to count at the same time, when counts need to be visible across locations, or when you need a historical record of your data. SnapCount solves all three problems: multiple library directors & data analysts can tap simultaneously on their own phones or tablets, the running total is visible to everyone in real time, and every count is logged with a timestamp for later review or CSV export.

Getting started takes less than a minute. Create a free session, name your counters to match your library patron usage workflow, and share the link with anyone who needs access. There's nothing to download, no accounts to create for viewers, and the interface works on any device with a web browser. For library directors & data analysts who need persistent data, team management, or advanced analytics, paid plans unlock additional features while keeping the same simple counting experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about using SnapCount for library patron usage

Can SnapCount differentiate between staff and patrons?

Yes. Unlike gate sensors, staff use separate, tagged counters for internal movements and ingress/egress, ensuring your official patron count is always clean and focused purely on public usage.

How do we track directional flow (Ingress vs. Egress)?

You deploy two separate, linked counters—one for 'Ingress' and one for 'Egress.' The SnapCount dashboard automatically provides a net usage metric instantly, giving you a precise measure of facility occupancy.

Is this data auditable for IMLS or state reports?

Absolutely. Every tally is time-stamped, user-stamped, and tagged with the specific counter type (e.g., 'Reference Desk Consultation'), providing a highly granular, defensible audit trail required for federal and state reporting.

What if the library Wi-Fi drops while we are counting?

SnapCount stores counts locally and syncs them instantly the moment connectivity returns. This ensures no valuable service desk interaction or program attendance data is lost due during temporary network outages.

Ready to Modernize Your Library Patron Usage Counting?

Join thousands of library directors & data analysts who have switched from gate sensors to SnapCount.

No credit card required • Works on any device

System Operational • Last updated: February 2026

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