Library people counters: gate counts & patron attendance
Patron counting and visitor analytics built for public libraries, academic libraries, and multi-branch systems. Real-time data, no IT department required.
Trusted by public libraries across North America, Europe, and beyond.
How accurate is your library visitor data?
Many libraries still count patrons by hand or rely on aging gate counters. SMS Storetraffic gives library directors accurate, automated data. Use it to staff smarter, plan your space, and back up funding requests with real numbers.
Accurate Visitor Counts
Up to 99% accurate patron counts with 3D SCOPE II LC. Day by day, hour by hour, door by door.
Daily Traffic Patterns
See how patron traffic moves through the day and across the week. Spot your busiest and quietest hours at a glance.
Reports in One Click
Export your visit counts for any period in a few clicks. Use the numbers to fill out your IMLS or ACRL reporting.
Staff your Busiest Hours
See exactly when patrons come in, down to the 15-minute mark. Schedule staff around real peaks instead of guesswork.
Better Space Planning
Identify underused zones and overcrowded collections. Redesign your layout with confidence.
Program Insights
Track attendance before and after special programs and events to see the impact on your overall visitor numbers.
Small Public Libraries
Understand how your community uses the library with accurate visitor counts, occupancy data, and usage trends. Use the numbers to justify your budget, make smarter decisions, and improve the experience for every patron who walks in.
Multi-Branch Library Systems
Track patron activity across every branch from one platform. Compare locations, spot usage trends, and see where to put resources so every branch in your system can perform at its best.
Academic Libraries
Measure how students and faculty use your library spaces. Monitor occupancy, study zone usage, and patron peaks to guide space allocation decisions. Get the gate count number your ACRL survey asks for, pulled straight from your data.
Library visits, counted and acted on
869M
In-person visits to U.S. public libraries in FY2024.
IMLS Library Data(opens in a new tab)2.4M
Library visits on an average day across the U.S. in FY2024. Each one a data point your system may be missing.
IMLS Library Data(opens in a new tab)9,200+
Public library systems reporting data to IMLS each year. Many still rely on manual tallies or aging gate counters.
IMLS Library Data(opens in a new tab)Under 15 min
To mount and connect a PEARL, no tools or IT required.
Up to 99%
Counting accuracy with 3D stereoscopic sensors and AI, even through automatic doors and wide entrances.
3,087
Median program attendance per U.S. public library in FY2023.
IMLS Library Data(opens in a new tab)
Find the right visitor counting solution for your library
Whether you manage a single branch or a system of 50 locations, we have a solution designed to match your space, goals, and budget.
- Explore PEARL
PEARL Wireless People Counter
- Connects to Wi-Fi
- Fully wireless
- Battery-powered
- Installs in under 15 minutes with the free iOS & Android app
- Syncs to T.M.A.S. platform + free mobile app
- Explore 3D SCOPE II LC
3D SCOPE II LC People Counter
- Up to 99% counting accuracy
- Counts multiple people entering simultaneously
- Built for wide entrances and higher traffic volumes
- Ceiling-mounted, one cable for power and network
- Syncs to T.M.A.S. platform + free mobile app
- Explore T.M.A.S.
T.M.A.S. Analytics Dashboard
- Up to 26 customizable and schedulable reports
- Export to Excel or PDF in one click
- Multi-branch view for library systems
- Scheduled email reports to any stakeholder
- API available for integrations
Loved by library teams
“Report variety, easy to access dashboard, mobile app, ability to schedule reports for multiple users. So far there is nothing I dislike about this product.”
Common questions about library people counting
What is a library people counter?
A library people counter, sometimes called a library visitor counter, door counter or gate counter, tracks how many patrons enter and exit a library. Libraries use this data to plan staffing, manage space, measure program attendance, and support funding and reporting needs.
How long does installation take?
Our PEARL installs in under 15 minutes with peel-and-stick tape or screws, with no wiring and no IT department. Connect it to Wi-Fi through the free app and patron counts appear in your dashboard within 2 hours. Our 3D SCOPE II LC requires ceiling mounting and a single ethernet cable for both power and network. Once physically installed, you book a remote calibration session with the SMS Storetraffic team, who handle the configuration for you.
What is the best people counter for a public library?
For a small public library with a standard doorway and moderate traffic, PEARL is usually the simplest option. It's also the most affordable counter in the lineup, with no wiring or IT support needed to get it running. It pairs well with most standard entrances and gives you reliable patron counts day after day.
How much does a library people counter cost?
A PEARL people counter costs USD 499.95. For busier or wider entrances, the 3D SCOPE II LC costs USD 1,149.95. The Standard plan, designed for libraries, costs USD 33.95 per device per month (USD 27.95 prepaid yearly) and includes the T.M.A.S. web platform, full traffic history and scheduled reports. The free Lite plan works with the mobile app only. See our pricing page.
Why do libraries need a visitor counter?
Most libraries install a visitor counter to prove their value to funding agencies with real usage numbers. Once it's in place, the same data helps schedule staff around busy and quiet hours, spot which spaces or programs draw the most use, and back up budget decisions with facts instead of guesswork.
What visitor data do libraries report to IMLS?
Public libraries report their annual number of in-person visits in the IMLS Public Libraries Survey, usually through their state library agency. An automated people counter gives you that total for any period. Our guide explains what counts as a visit and how to prepare your numbers.
Chat response in under a minute during weekdays from 9am-5pm EST
Free onboarding included with every hardware purchase
2-year warranty on all PEARL and 3D SCOPE II LC hardware
Start counting the people who walk through your library’s doors.
Talk to our team and we’ll help you find the right visitor analytics solution for your library whether you’re a small branch or a network of 50 locations.