Thursday, March 19, 2020

Who Is on my WiFi? Wireless counter software program is free for SD public libraries.


This past fall, SDSL expanded our WhoFi wireless counter software program to cover all public libraries in South Dakota. We currently have 67 libraries using this service. This service is available and free to all South Dakota public library outlets.

WhoFi software allows libraries to count how many people are using the library’s public WiFi and makes the annual wireless sessions federal data element easy to complete on your library’s annual report. Since we began the program in fall of 2018, we’ve learned that library WiFi gets more usage that most of us believed!

Here’s what librarians have told us about the service:
·         We no longer need to take the time to do a headcount of WiFi users.
·         We’re realizing the importance of our public wireless networks and putting in more effort to promote WiFi service.
·         We’ve decided to leave our WiFi open for additional hours, improve bandwidth & equipment, have more staff available during peak WiFi usage periods.

Learn more about the State Library’s WhoFi program [https://libguides.library.sd.gov/services/whofi], who’s using it and how to sign up.
Check out this archived Cornerstone article [https://sdslcornerstone.blogspot.com/2019/08/public-library-wi-fi-service-good-for.html] for tips on how to get the most from your library’s public WiFi.