http://dougappich-informationtechnology.blogspot.com/2010/10/rifd-rifds-are-very-complicated-but.html?showComment=1286585767936#c5713789221064270943
Hi Doug, I’m curious about your claim that “circulation staff represents the human aspect of libraries.” I agree that they’re a big part of the staff/patron relationship, because, as Coyle says, they’re the people most often interacting with patrons. But like Coyle also says, checking books in and out is hardly a stimulating task – couldn’t their MLIS degrees be put to better use elsewhere in the library? Shouldn’t the “human aspect of libraries” be accomplishing something that technology can’t? I think the abilities of librarians are put to much better use when they’re helping patrons find materials, learn new technology, and access digital resources.
And I don’t think the loss of jobs is inevitable. This is probably idealistic, but my hope is that by freeing librarians from the circulation desk, they’ll be more visible and useful to patrons. Then there will be more demand for the services they offer, which would make layoffs impractical.
On Barb's Blog:
You make a good point about RFID currently having too limited applications for library use. It hadn’t occurred to me that libraries would need two checkout systems, but I guess there’d be no other choice if the RFID technology doesn’t work for all materials yet. Electronic media and children’s books are huge draws for patrons; it seems unlikely that technology complicating their circulation would be adopted by most libraries.
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