RE: Self Check/RFID - Checkpoint/Bibliotheca

["Hahn, Harvey" <hhahn at ahml dot info>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: innopac-bounces at innopacusers dot org 
> [mailto:innopac-bounces at innopacusers dot org] On Behalf Of Peggy Sisselman
> Sent: Friday, July 08, 2005 5:47 AM
> 
> ... [RFID] can open up the opportunity for more 
> meaningful relationships between staff and public, 
> when staff can speak to patrons more directly 
> instead of constantly staring at the screen to 
> make sure each item is checking out properly.

"...more meaningful relationships between staff and public..."  What
staff?  I heard at a program that there are libraries that have
implemented RFID in conjunction with multiple self-checkout stations
which need only a single circ staff member at a desk to handle
exceptions and such (there might be another "rover" to assist with
self-checkouts).  For those libraries, large circ staffs are a thing of
the past; most existing circ staff were transferred to other areas of
the library where possible.  Interaction is at reference and advisory
service desks and not much at circ.  As budgets get tighter,
self-checkout (as at grocery stores) becomes more attractive.  FWIW.

Harvey
 
--
===========================================
Harvey E. Hahn, Manager, Technical Services Department
Arlington Heights (Illinois) Memorial Library
Desk: 847/506-2644 -- FAX: 847/506-2650 -- E mailto:hhahn at ahml dot info
Personal web pages: http://users.anet.com/~packrat