Track patron visits, understand usage patterns, and demonstrate community value.
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Libraries are so much more than book lending—they're community centers, study spaces, technology access points, and gathering places. But when budget season arrives, the question is always the same: How many people actually use the library?
Door counters give you a number, but that number lacks context. Who are these visitors? Are they here for books, or the computer lab, or story time? Are they regulars or first-timers? Without answers, you're stuck making the case for library funding with incomplete data.
Clerkcat fills in the picture. A tablet near your entrance invites patrons to check in—quickly and optionally. Unlike gate counters that just count bodies, Clerkcat lets you see patterns: which days are busiest, what resources people use, how program attendance trends over time. When stakeholders ask "who's using the library?" you have real answers.
Program tracking is especially valuable. Story times, author events, technology classes, summer reading programs—each has its own attendance that matters for planning and reporting. Clerkcat captures this automatically. When the children's librarian wants to know if Wednesday story time is more popular than Thursday's, the data is right there. When you're writing grant applications for technology programming, you have evidence of demand.
For libraries offering computer access, meeting rooms, or study spaces, Clerkcat can track resource usage. See which services are in highest demand. Justify technology investments with usage data. Identify bottlenecks where additional resources might help.
The system works alongside your existing library software—it's not trying to replace your ILS or circulation system. It simply adds the visitor tracking layer that most library systems don't provide well. Patrons can check in with their library card number or just their name; you control how much information to collect.
Whether you run a small branch or a large main library with multiple floors and service points, Clerkcat adapts to your needs. The reports you generate can go straight to your board, your city council, or your funding applications—demonstrating the vital role your library plays in the community.
These are the challenges we hear about from libraries every day.
Your gate counter says 347 people came in yesterday, but you don't know if they were patrons using services, kids cutting through, or the same person entering multiple times. It's data without insight.
The children's librarian keeps a tally. The technology instructor has a sign-in sheet somewhere. By the time you need numbers for a report, you're hunting and estimating.
When budget cuts are discussed, you need data that shows community impact. "A lot of people use the library" doesn't carry the weight of "4,200 unique patrons last month, 37% using computers, 28% attending programs."
Is the computer lab overused or underused? Do you need more evening hours or weekend hours? Without data on when and how patrons use services, you're making decisions in the dark.
Get the data you need for budget requests, strategic planning, and demonstrating community value. Show stakeholders exactly what the library provides.
Understand your branch's usage patterns. See what's working, identify opportunities, and make the case for resources you need.
Track attendance for every program you run. Understand what's popular, what's growing, and what might need to change.
Know how computer labs, study rooms, and other resources are being used. Justify investments with real usage data.
Get accurate visitor counts without gate counters. Understand who's using your library and how often.
Track attendance for story times, classes, and events. Report program success to your board.
Log usage of computer labs, study rooms, and other resources. Justify technology investments.
Export data for annual reports and funding requests. Show exactly how many community members you serve.
Customize your check-in form with fields that matter to your library. Here are some examples:
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