Connecting with the local librarian
Camera IconConnecting with the local librarian Credit: Supplied/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Opinion: Human touch lost with library’s self-service systems

Keith McNaught, WaterfordSouthern Gazette

Our local libraries have created borrowing and return systems, which are all self-service.

As I returned and borrowed my materials at South Perth this week, I pondered what we had lost with this technology.

I am not lonely. I live in a family unit and have a busy and rewarding career.

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Yet I felt a sadness that there was yet again absolutely no human interaction to my visit and wondered what it is like for older members of our community, or those who seek a community experience, or just human interaction, in something as simple as borrowing their library books.

The technology is fantastic (when it all works) and there are clearly operational efficiencies.

However, we are losing other things in the process, not least a friendly hello or a chat about the weather, which connects folk, some of whom really need that as part of their lives.

Keith McNaught

Waterford