The Digital Media Experience Lab (DME) is a TMU Libraries’ makerspace open to all library users regardless of their faculty or departmental affiliation. At the DME, library users create content ranging from podcasts to 3D prints to electronics projects.
Libraries are not just resources and information hubs. Libraries are cocurricular spaces, where students learn through hands-on experiences, collaborate with others creatively and gain practical skill beyond traditional curriculum. Like their counterparts worldwide, DME have seen demands for its equipment and workshops increase steadily after global pandemics. To support our growing community with the necessary equipment, materials and trained staff, our developer Asher Tweodros Andargachew created a Python check-in program for scanning TMU OneCard Library barcodes.
Measuring drop-in usage consistently is a challenge, which requires flexible and innovative data collection and analysis methods to capture DME’s impact and usage accurately. This initiative has been made possible by the student Digital Media Advising Associate coordinator and programmer in residence, Asher Tweodros Andargachew, marks an advancement in collecting and leveraging utilization statistics, helping the Lab to best serve our community of creators better.
Why Scan TMU Libraries Cards?
Gaining insight into how individuals utilize DME facilities is crucial for allocating resources, planning purposes, and enhancing student services. Scanning the TMU OneCard Library barcodes enables DME to gather information such as student numbers and entry time. This data, analyzed for lab usage patterns, demographics, and peak hours, informs DME about the number of individuals using the DME facility and the academic disciplines or staff that use the Lab most. The insights guide DME’s outreach initiatives.
The Technology Behind It
An early DME card scanning system prototype, crafted with ChatGPT4, functioned well but presented scalability challenges as the lab grew. Asher, a computer science major and excellent problem-solver, led this project. Recognizing ChatGPT 4’s limitations in programming in Python, Asher developed a solution using Tkinter, an open source Python library, to create a Graphical User Interface (GUI) application that interfaces with card scanners. This system automatically logs each entry time and student number into a CSV file after four hours, ensuring accurate data collection. A confirmation sound indicates a successful scan.
Asher saw patterns in the data that allowed a staff of fourteen members to identify trends. “From the data, we understand that the 3D printer is the most popular technology at DME, with arts, engineering and business students using it.” Asher said.
Asher is not just solving puzzles; he is shaping the future of DME. With every scan, we are learning and growing, ready to bring you more of what you love. Stay tuned for more updates as we refine and expand this system to serve DME Creators further with expanded hours, increased workshop offerings, and more.