The Suma Project

Integrating observational data assessment into space and service design

Jason Casden | Bret Davidson

NCSU Libraries

The problem

  • Many libraries perform manual counts of people in spaces doing something at some time
  • The process involves tedious collection mechanisms, lots of paperwork, and much room for error
  • There is no coordinated effort to help departments analyze their data


by Joyce Chapman, Suma Community development and data analysis specialist.

Spreadsheets

  • Dissimilar formats
  • Fragmentation across time and topic
  • Time-consuming analysis


We are data conformists.

Our solution

An open source tablet-based app (well, toolkit) to aid library staff in assessment of how patrons are using library spaces.


In other words…the gathering, storing, exporting, analyzing, and visualizing of data across spaces/activities/time and around events.

Suma principles

  1. Support frequent data collection for a wide range of initiatives
  2. Provide useful and usable tools for a wide range of staff
  3. Support the integration of data querying and exploration into regular decision-making processes

Data collection

Suma data collection

Space Analytics

  • Routine application of data to decision-making processes
    • Staffing
    • Hours
    • Service point locations
    • Outreach
  • Ability to compare behavior before and after various changes
  • Ability to explore usage data to better understand users

The web has had this for years

Staff as sensors

Understanding our users

  • Where do our users go?
  • What are they doing?
  • When are they doing it?
  • What could they be doing?

Technical Principles

  • Data Integrity
  • Performant Interfaces
  • Reusable Tools

System Overview

System Overview

System Overview

System Overview

Data Synchronization

Core Technologies

  • Zend PHP Framework
  • MySQL, Web SQL Database, Persistence.js
  • Bootstrap & Handlebars
  • jQuery, Lodash, Moment.js
  • D3.js

What does this enable?

Multi-dimensional Views of Data

Interactive Data Exploration

Data Export

  • CSV File
  • Chart Images

Structured Questions

  • How does evening usage compare across initiatives?
  • Do the types of questions vary based on time of day?
  • Transaction length across points in semester?
  • Evidence of roaming reference?

Demo

Do the types of questions vary based on time of day?

12pm to 5pm

5pm to 10pm

Future Work

  • Comparative Analysis
  • Proportional Analysis
  • More Granularity (hourly)
  • Improved Admin Interface

Example uses

  • Hunt library opening metrics
  • Special Collections outreach events
  • Evaluation of roaming reference service
  • Main sevice (reference) desk transaction analysis

Open Source

  • 7+ active academic library pilot projects
  • Hosted on GitHub
  • Pull requests are always welcome

Open Source support (free kittens)

Project team

  • Jason Casden
  • Bret Davidson
  • Joyce Chapman
  • Rob Rucker
  • Rusty Earl
  • Eric McEachern

Thank You!

http://go.ncsu.edu/Suma


Jason Casden: jason_casden@ncsu.edu

Bret Davidson: bret_davidson@ncsu.edu