Many worry that a solution like open+ will diminish the importance of library staff, essentially replacing people with technology. However, libraries using open+ report something quite different.

As libraries extend hours with open+, they see more, not fewer, visits during traditional staffed hours. open+ allows libraries to offer consistent open hours, regardless of staff availability, and this reliability helps cement the library as valuable go-to community resource. Some libraries, such as Gwinnett County Public Library which used open+ access to add 39 additional open hours per week, have noticed an increase in the number of visits during staffed hours after implementing the solution.

The Rule of 7 is a marketing touchstone that states people must be exposed to a piece of information seven times before they will take action on it. With more time inside the library, visitors have more opportunities to learn about library offerings. This additional exposure has led to 300% increase in program attendance at Hamilton Public Library in Ontario.

Far from reducing the importance of library staff, or cutting staff hours, the extended library access offered by open+ helps libraries focus on building the transformational relationships modern libraries need to stay relevant to communities today.