Chapter 2. How to Measure the Future

Abstract

Chapter 2 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 54, no. 1), “Library Spaces and Smart Buildings: Technology, Metrics, and Iterative Design”

Chapter 2 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 54, no. 1), “Library Spaces and Smart Buildings: Technology, Metrics, and Iterative Design,” takes a look at the Measure the Future project, which uses technology to measure how patrons use different areas within the library and provide useful data that can help libraries answer questions relating to how their spaces are used and what changes they might want to make in the future. I’ll discuss the Measure the Future project from the initial ideas that started it to the current state and where we hope to be in the future. Part of what I want Measure the Future to do is help libraries tell better stories about themselves and to have data to back up those stories. I’ll provide an overview of how Measure the Future addresses security concerns, describe the technical features of the project, and look at the beta and alpha testing phases of the project and where we hope to be in the future.