Self Service Check Out

http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_2903410

The Berkeley Library is implementing new technology which will allow patrons to check out their own books. The use of Radio Frequency Identification tags on books will allow this. This will reduce the work load for employees who apparently have sustained injuries from the repetitive movement of checking out books and will allow them to devote more time to assisting patrons in other areas. Some people are concerned that these tags could amount to an invasion of privacy; however library officials dismiss this stating that the tags only contain bar code information not title, author, etc.

Self service already exists in super markets, airports, and probably other places as well. It seems only logical that this trend would continue into the library setting.