Self-service libraries versus "oldfashioned" libraries
By Porcospino
@Porcospino (31366)
Denmark
July 1, 2012 6:58am CST
Are the libraries at your place self-service libraries? Or do you need help from the staff when you want to borrow books, return books, find a particular book, make reservations etc? Do you prefer self-service libraries or libraries where you need help from the staff?
In my country there are still some libraries where self-service hasn't been introduced, but most of the libraries are self-service libraries. I love the self-service libraries, because I am more independent that way, and I don't have to wait in line when the librarians are busy.
If I am interested in a certain book, I use the website that belongs to the library and I find the book there. If the book is a available the website tells me where to find it. If the book is not available I make a reservation online and when the book is available I get an email. In addition to the local websites there is a site where I can find books in any library in the country. If I get interested in one of the books from that site I make a reservation and ask them to send the book to my local library.
8 responses
@MischiefFilledMe (268)
• United States
7 Jul 12
I myself prefer the "old-fashioned" libraries, when I have the time to just go and look. When I'm in a hurry, just need one certain book, and have to be out in a rush, the self-service libraries are MUCH handier. So, I like both, but I really hope I don't see the old-fashioned ones being forced to update just because some people don't like waiting in lines. It's nice walking in and saying "good morning" and getting a smile from the nice librarian that always checks your books out for you. =D (Guess I'm just a little sentimental like that.)
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
7 Jul 12
In my country there are very few of the oldfashioned libraries left. Some years ago when I moved to another town I visted the local library and I automatically tried to find the computer where I could borrow and return books. I was surpriced to see that there were no computers. The librarians did still those things for us. It was like a trip back to the past and made me remember my childhood visits to the library 
It is true that we don't get the personal interaction with the librarians when we use self-service libraries, and I know several people miss that today so you are not the only person who feels that way. Personally I like the self-service libraries a lot and I think it is very convenient that I am able to search the database from my home and make reservations from my home.
It is true that we don't get the personal interaction with the librarians when we use self-service libraries, and I know several people miss that today so you are not the only person who feels that way. Personally I like the self-service libraries a lot and I think it is very convenient that I am able to search the database from my home and make reservations from my home.
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
2 Jul 12
My daughter works at my local library and so I rarely check out books. Its easier for me, if I tell her what I would like to read next, as I could easily browse all day for books. We have a drop off bin for books and I can check online to see if the book is available.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
4 Jul 12
I would also browse all day I find some of my books on the website that belongs to my local library, but sometimes I just decide to browse when I arrive at the library. I prefer to visit the library alone or with my husband, because my friends always get impatient if we visit the library together. I can spend hours browsing the books and my friend keep on asking if I am ready to leave 
Fortunately my husband also likes to visit the library and he doesn't mind waiting for me when I look for new books. It is nice that you also have the chance to check the books online and see if they are available. I usually do that if I am looking for something specific and I save a lot of time that way.
I find some of my books on the website that belongs to my local library, but sometimes I just decide to browse when I arrive at the library. I prefer to visit the library alone or with my husband, because my friends always get impatient if we visit the library together. I can spend hours browsing the books and my friend keep on asking if I am ready to leave Fortunately my husband also likes to visit the library and he doesn't mind waiting for me when I look for new books. It is nice that you also have the chance to check the books online and see if they are available. I usually do that if I am looking for something specific and I save a lot of time that way.
@lynboobsy11 (11343)
• Philippines
1 Jul 12
Wow that's good, I think we don't have that kind of libraries here in my country, I never heard that kind. I never go to any libraries since high school days. I wish we have that kind too here in my area.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
1 Jul 12
I think that there are many advantages about that kind of libraries, and the users have more freedom when they are able to check out books, return books etc on their own. In the past that kind of libraries didn't exist in my country. We were unable to to do things on our own and the librarians had to help us with everything. A lot of people were always waiting in line at that time. Today things are much faster because we are able to do many things from our home.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
4 Jul 12
Yes, you might find a lot of changes if you visit the your local library again. I still remember the time when we weren't able to make our own reservations online. At that time we had to talk to a librarian whenever we wanted to make a reservation. We also asked a librarian for help if we were looking for books about a certain topic. Today I just search the database on their website. It is very nice that I am able to do that from my own home whenever I choose. I use the library a lot and I think that I have a lot more freedom today. On the internet I can even find books in other libraries than my own and ask them to send the books to my oen library. When the books have arrived I receive an email.
@Jennib1 (62)
• South Africa
4 Jul 12
This is the first time I hear of a self-service library. It sounds great! We still have an old-fashioned library, where the librarians are there to help you check in or take out books. I don't think we would change to a self-service library very soon as we have many elderly people living in our town and I am sure they won't be very happy about it. For me, it would be fantastic. At least I wouldn't then have to pay so many fines because my books are overdue.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
4 Jul 12
Personally I think that the self-service libraries are a great thing. It has become a lot easier and faster to find books or make reservations since the self-service libraries were introduced. I love the fact that I am able to search the database from my home and make reservations from my home. In the past I always had to ask a librarian for help and the line of people waiting to get help was always very long. I am lot more independent today and I can even search the database late at night if I prefer that.
You have a point about the elderly people. I know that many of the elderly people from my area don't like the self-service libraries. They find it hard to do everything on their own and they miss the time when the librarians did those things for us. Some of the elderly people don't use the libraries anymore and I think that is a pity.
@xtinelee (3371)
• Singapore
1 Jul 12
In my country, there is a physical library with staff working there, but for easy items like checking books out, or finding out about books, you can just use the computers there for scanning to check books out, so everything is pretty much automated. You can also do renewal online where you do not need to physically visit the library, so that's great too. The staff there are mostly to help the elderly and to arrange the books back into position. You can also reserve the books online and collect it at the nearest library near you. So that's all great I guess.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
1 Jul 12
At my local library most of the things are automatic, too. If we want to borrow books or return books we do it via a computer. If we are looking for a particular book we can find it on their website and we can also make reservations online. The staff at the library help people when there is problem with one of the computers or they help people who aren't familiar with the computers. Some of the elderly users find it hard to use a computer and they miss the time when the staff did those things for you. Personally I really like self-service. I am more independent that way and there is less waiting time.
@doroffee (4222)
• Hungary
1 Jul 12
The library I go to is half and half. I don't need their help or consent to browse and find the books, but I have to give them the books I'm returning. There are never long lines there, which is weird, as it is the only public library in the district..., I guess people are reading less nowadays. I don't find it a huss to give them the books. And it's always good that they are there for questions and that thy keep track of everything (like the retun dates and so).
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
1 Jul 12
It is nice that there are no long lines at your local library. I remember the times when we still had to return the books to the staff, we always had to wait forever. Today everything is done via the computers and the waiting time is reduced. The staff is still there, but their roles have changed. In the past they helped every person who wanted to borrow or return books, today they only help people who are new to the library and don't know how the computers work or people who experience problems or when the computers rejects one of the books. I think that is true that less people read today compared to the past. Today many people download ebooks instead of borrowing printed books at the library.
