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

[Mindy Kittay]

Our reasoning for self-check is just the opposite of what many have written
here.  We believe that by freeing up our staff (staff will not be reduced
with the addition of self-check machines), for more customer related
activities such as roaming the stacks to answer questions and greeting the
customer at the door we are going to increase interaction with the public.
We are also hoping that this will give staff additional time for programming
and other activities that bring interaction with the public.  I have
personally seen this model be very successful at libraries such as Denver
Public and Farmington New Mexico and I have high hopes that with proper
training and encouragment this will work well for us too.

Mindy


On 11/4/07, Joe Schallan <jbsphx at cox.net> wrote:
>
> 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.
>
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-- 
Mindy Kittay
Finance Director
Rangeview Library District
11658 North Huron
Northglenn, CO 80234
(303) 288-2001
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