Naperville seeks volunteers to count library users

Naperville Public Library leaders want to know how many people are using their facilities - whether the patrons are 2 or 92.

To do so, they're calling for the help of hundreds of volunteers over two weeks to monitor the doors and computers at the city's three libraries.

Electronic counters don't account for that 2-year-old carried into storytime by mom or that group of high school students working on a project around one computer, library leaders say.

"An electronic counter would only count one. The 2-year-old is a customer, too," said Pat Larson, volunteer coordinator. "That's important for us to really get an accurate tally of just how many people (are using the facility)."

Larson said she needs volunteers to fill 145 two-hour shifts for the quarterly door count from April 13 through April 19. The tally will give library leaders an idea of when the Nichols, Naper Boulevard and 95th Street libraries are used the most.

"Are they finding the library a nice place to come when the snow is falling outside as opposed to the sun shining outside?" Larson said. "Internally it really helps us to know staffing needs. It helps us better serve the public."

The following week - April 20 through April 26 - volunteers will be placed throughout the libraries in 540 two-hour shifts to view computer use.

More and more, Larson said she sees high school and college students working together on group projects at the computers. While one person signs in, sometimes three or four may use the same computer.

Keeping a tally will allow leaders to calculate the logistics of arranging enough space and creating a floor layout that works to accommodate all the users.

"That's really important, especially now that we seem to have a higher computer use than in the past," Larson said.

Additionally, like many public libraries, the Naperville facilities offer a fast broadband Internet connection and Wi-Fi, which has increased use.

"It's hard to say whether it's the economy or whether our whole life is just more collaborative; kids are doing more reports as groups rather than single term papers," said Susan Greenwood, community relations coordinator.

Numbers compiled during the two weeks will be used for annual reports and may be used to obtain grants from the state.

Volunteers can be high school students or older and may sign up for more than one shift.

To volunteer, a form must be filled out in advance. Forms are available at each of the three libraries and take about 20 minutes to complete. They include contact information, time preferences and a brief skills test that asks basic reading and numbers questions. The forms are then sent to Larson, who begins making calls to secure volunteer slots.

The three library locations are all open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For details, call Larson at (630) 961-4100 ext. 2236