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Assurance on self service library
THE COUNTY council has moved to reassure people worried about the introduction of self-service kiosks at Scarborough Library.
Three of the machines, which allow library users to check out and return books without seeing a member of staff, will become operational next week.
Some people have voiced concerns that their introduction will lead to a reduction in service levels or even job losses.
However, Elaine Williams, a spokes person for North Yorkshire County Council, said the machines would allow staff members to spend more time with library users.
She said: "The machines have nothing to do with replacing people. They have been installed to free up staff to spend more time dealing with customer enquires.
"Because of the changes in the services libraries can offer, staff need to spend more time doing different things. They will now have more time to help people on computers for example."
Lee Taylor, principal officer at Scarborough Library, also said the machines would allow staff members to offer a better service.
He added: "We will not become fully self-issue until mid-summer, so people will have plenty of time to get used to the changes. The counter service is still there for now.
"This is something that libraries are doing all over the country. It will free up staff time and we are really looking forward to the machines becoming operational."
However some residents in Filey, where two machines were installed last week, are unconvinced by the council's claims.
Michael Fearon, of Belle Vue Crescent, said that visits to the library may lose their personal touch, which he believes is as important as the opportunity to take out books for many people.
He added: "I worry that we're losing that person to person contact that is so valuable in society.
"In the case of the library often the chance to talk about something that you're interested in is more important than anything. I haven't spoken to the library staff, but I'm sure they value that as well.
"The library offers such a valuable and wonderful service and I don't think installing these machines will improve it at all."
Filey town councillor Gordon Johnson said that while he did not doubt that elderly residents had the ability to learn to use the new self- service machines, he was worried they could miss out in other ways.
He said: "Older people could lose the social characteristic of going to the library. They're going to lose the ambience of a place that you can have a natter. The library can be a centre for people to meet."
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Weather for Scarborough
Friday 25 May 2012
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