Sometimes I hate self-service libraries
By Porcospino
@Porcospino (31366)
Denmark
March 25, 2016 3:32pm CST
There are many self-service libraries in Denmark. Self-service libraries are libraries without staff. We unlock the door with our library card and there are cameras and alarms in order to protect the libraries against theft. Generally those self-service libraries are a great idea. They are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. and it nice that we are able to visit the libraries late at night.
But when the self-service machines don't work there is no one to ask for help. I experienced that tonight. I wanted to borrow some cds, but the machine wouldn't deactivate the alarm. I tried over and over, but it just didn't work. I had to leave the library without the cds. The machines aren't perfect, and during the opening hours I ask the staff for help when it happens, but when there is no staff we can't do that.
I definitely understand that they needs the alarms, but I wish that they would improve the self-service machines, because I experience problems quite often. Sometimes the machines break down when there is no staff and no one is able to borrow or return books, cds and dvds the rest of the day.
Do you use your local library?
8 people like this
8 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
25 Mar 16
This is the problem with machines..they break.
No I do not any longer go to the library also cameras and so much has changed, not to mention the loud talking that seems to be allowed now. It is sad.
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
25 Mar 16
I think that the idea is great, but it is annoying when we drive far to get there and have to leave the library without the things that we wanted to borrow. Yes, many things have changed. Libraries were very different in my childhood. I still visit them, but there is more noise now. Did you borrow books and other materials in the past?
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
26 Mar 16
@TiarasOceanView We also have loud kids (and adults!) in the libraries here. The librarians try to keep the noise down, but it is not an an easy task. I visit the library in order to borrow books and cds, but I don't read inside the library. It sad that the peaceful atmosphere is gone.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
25 Mar 16
@Porcospino Oh yes I always loved the library so peaceful and I was such a studious student my friend..I would sit for hours and going looking up research and all that.
Now it is terrible here with all loud kids and people shouting around..it is no longer a haven.
I used to borrow many books years ago.
That would annoy me not getting the book after driving so very far.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
30 Mar 16
We had a mobile library at the place where I lived before, but it was quite small and they only had few books. I used the large library instead, but I had to drive to get there.
1 person likes this
@suzzy3 (8341)
•
30 Mar 16
@Porcospino Most of our libraries are having to shut. No Money.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
30 Mar 16
@suzzy3 That is sad. Here they keep the large libraries, but many of the small ones don't exist anymore.
@Letranknight2015 (52079)
• Philippines
26 Mar 16
we have local libraries in the metro, but not here in my neighborhood.
1 person likes this
@rina110383 (24492)
•
25 Mar 16
I used it once when I was in college to research on something. School/university libraries are better than public libraries here in my country.
You've got a sophisticated library. How I wish we also have that here. It just has disadvantages when the machines break down like what you mentioned.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
25 Mar 16
I think that self-service libraries are a great idea, and we are more independent that way. It is annoying when the machines don't work because I had to drive quite far to get there. I hope that they will get better machines in the future. Self-service libraries are still a pretty new thing here, and I think that they will improve the technical details in the future 
I hope that you will get self-service libraries one day. They are great...when they work 
I hope that you will get self-service libraries one day. They are great...when they work 1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
5 Apr 16
Yes, I use the local libraries but we don't have self-service libraries here in Manila like the one you wrote about in this post.
@KuznVinny (768)
• United States
1 Apr 16
I've never heard of such a thing. Self-service libraries. We usually have a number of personnel that will wait on us. What is life coming to? Will there be self-service medicine in future times?
