Communication around Occupancy Data Collection?
Sarno, Andrew L
______________________________________
Andrew Sarno
Head, Management Information Services and Project Support
University of Pennsylvania Libraries
Rm. 454, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center
3420 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Liz Mengel
We rolled ours out during COVID and then never took it down.
From: Sarno, Andrew L <sar...@upenn.edu>
Sent: Monday, March 9, 2026 12:10 PM
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Subject: [SUSPECTED SPAM][ARL-ASSESS] Communication around Occupancy Data Collection?
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Sarah Tudesco
Yale Library just recently completed an Occuspace installation across several of our locations, and we've been very happy with our experience so far.
We'd be glad to share what we learned about patron and staff communication ahead of rollout. Feel free to reach out directly, and I'm happy to set up a call to discuss.
Best,
Sarah Tudesco
Program Director, Library Impact Analysis
Yale University Library
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Joyce Chapman
Hi Andrew,
Duke Libraries implemented SenSource for entrance counts in fall 2024. I led a committee that investigated various products. We also interviewed other libraries that had already implemented some of these systems and asked them your exact question.
We found that for SenSource, some libraries didn’t feel that additional information needed to be shared with patrons. Libraries already have actual security cameras that are capturing more than SenSource does. One example we found of a library’s public webpage that added a statement about SenSource was the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries: https://libraries.unl.edu/surveillance-technology-privacy-library-spaces/. They added it alongside their security camera policy.
For OccuSpace, I think communicating is more important than the entrance counters. One example of messaging about the technology on a website is from NCSU, they added a paragraph about OccuSpace to their Privacy page: https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/privacy
Duke has a Privacy page https://library.duke.edu/about/privacy, but it was decided we didn’t need to add anything for SenSource. We already have the security cameras discussed on there, as well as a number of examples of how we use data. Our committee drafted both a short and long statement that could be added to the website (which I can share below) but in the end it was decided we didn’t need to have SenSource as a separate software discussed on the page.
Long statement:
The Libraries uses the product SenSource to count how many people are entering and exiting the buildings. This allows the Libraries to know how many people are in the buildings and understand traffic volume in order to make staffing decisions. SenSource employs 3D stereo vision tracking using overhead cameras places inside the library entrances. Overhead video is not recorded or retained, other than a brief period during set up to check the accuracy of the counting mechanisms.
Short statement:
The Libraries uses SenSource people counters to help us understand building traffic and occupancy. This technology does not track or record any identifiable information.
I’m happy to share findings on topics other than messaged from the Duke Libraries committee that investigated options for occupancy and entrance counts if you’d like.
Best,
Joyce
From: Sarno, Andrew L <sar...@upenn.edu>
Sent: Monday, March 9, 2026 12:10 PM
To: arl-a...@arl.org
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Rebecca Ione Pernell
Good morning,We at Penn Libraries are about to implement a patron-counting application in some of our more heavily trafficked spaces, and were wondering if anyone has had any experience with this kind of product (Occuspace, Sensource, etc.), specifically with messaging and communication to patrons ahead of rollout. The devices will not be collecting or transmitting any patron data other than a headcount, but we want to be proactive about potential apprehension on the part of patrons (and staff as well).If anyone has had a similar rollout and could share their experiences in this regard, it'd be greatly appreciated - many thanks!Best,Andy
Good morning,We at Penn Libraries are about to implement a patron-counting application in some of our more heavily trafficked spaces, and were wondering if anyone has had any experience with this kind of product (Occuspace, Sensource, etc.), specifically with messaging and communication to patrons ahead of rollout. The devices will not be collecting or transmitting any patron data other than a headcount, but we want to be proactive about potential apprehension on the part of patrons (and staff as well).If anyone has had a similar rollout and could share their experiences in this regard, it'd be greatly appreciated - many thanks!Best,Andy
Sent: Monday, March 9, 2026 10:44 AM
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Subject: Fwd: [ARL-ASSESS] Communication around Occupancy Data Collection?