[Publib] So which way is it going to be? (rant)

[Joe Schallan]

Fred Beisser wrote


"Or, maybe the patrons just like to have some interface with real people
to rack up a piece of their socialization quota for the day that most
folks need. I, for one, work from a home office so when I have a choice
between self check-out at the super market (our small library does not
yet use RFID and self check-out) and interfacing with a real person for
even a short conversation, I go for the social aspect."


Everyone tells us public libraries have a social role as well as an  
informational one. At library conferences across the country, One of  
the Knowing Ones stands at a podium and earnestly tells us we are  
community centers, and everyone in the meeting room solemnly nods in  
assent. The library should be a place for social contact, the Wise  
One says, as well as a place to obtain answers and materials to read,  
watch, or listen to. And all in the room agree.

And then they go back to their libraries and do everything in their  
power to reduce patrons' contact with library staff:  Self check out;  
combining service desks to reduce number of staff available to the  
public; self sign-up for computers; self-serve holds pickup; phone  
notification by bot; putting a caller into a phone menuing system  
instead of having a human being pick up the call . . . ad nauseam.

My tongue may be just a little in my cheek here, but . . .

Grrrrrrrr..........


-Joe Schallan
   Phoenix

PS. How many of you have seen libraries in which the three self  
checkouts are standing empty, while there is a long queue waiting for  
the one human being that has been left to help?

    That is sure great service, oh yeah.  No desire for human  
interaction shall go unpunished.