Comments on: Innovation In Queueing

By: Jane Allard

Jane Allard — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:41:21 +0000

I am new to your blog, and to the discussions. As an introduction, et me say first that I had a full day of choice and leisure in my college’s library last Thursday, and feel that if I was ever locked in a library overnight I would be truly truly happy!!
Here’s my bold opinion: Scanners/auto checkouts are a bane to society. Why do we now dislike standing still, in a line? I for one always people-watch, people-listen, hear the music and assess it, check what others are buying or checking out,sheesh–I just take time, and a breath! I feel for the young parents who have kids in a line, naturally. But taking the opportunity to pause in the flow-flow-flow, go-go-go rush of time can be refreshing. At the market I notice the decorative seasonal silliness that adorns the store, in the library I lift mine eyes to acknowledge the displays someone has purposefully created, and even in the bank branch (gasp I go IN)I seek the floral arrangement donated by my nearby shop…works of everyday art!

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 20:46:39 +0000

Some grocery stores have a self-service version of this scanner that libraries could employ. You get a scanner when you start shopping and scan the items as you put them in your cart (or recyclable bags you brought with you). Then when you get to the register, everything is already scanned.

By: Brian Herzog

Brian Herzog — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 02:35:59 +0000

I’ve heard that Apple is supposed to be all about the customers, but the last time I was in an Apple store I got yelled at for having a digital camera. yelling != friendly customer service.

Also, as to google v. librarians – television was supposed to kill radio, but I still listen to the radio almost every day. So as a librarian, I’m not too worried about it.

By: js

js — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:58:43 +0000

Yep! You don’t get around much.
Go to an Apple Store! They are usually set up so every employee on the floor can check out any customer without anyone ever having to go to a register.

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PS sorry to hear about Google replacing all the need for reference librarians