The other day I went to the library to drop off one book and check out another. At the checkout counter, there was a small line, so I decided to try to use the self checkout. I had never used it before because it’s been out of order every single time I’ve been there. Since it seemed to be functioning and I didn’t have a complicated transaction, I decided to give it a try.

The process was very confusing. There weren’t any signs with steps on what to do, except a little one telling you to scan the library bar code of the book and not the UPC. So, after several attempts, I finally got it to scan (you have to leave the bar code sitting under the laser for a long time) and said I was finished scanning books. It then printed out a receipt telling me when my book was due.

That sounds all fine and dandy except, I had not yet entered my library card number, so I had no idea how it knew who to assign the book to. I found a screen that allows you to list all items checked out and it listed 5. I most certainly did not have 5 books, so I figured it was just messed up somehow, so I left the screen as it was and started to walk to the check out desk. I figured it just didn’t work properly and that it would just be easier to get it sorted out with proper help.

As I walked away some guy called after me “Excuse me, Ma’am? Are you done using that machine?” I said I was, unsure if he was someone waiting to use it, or an employee or what. He then chastized me for not signing out. I tried to explain that I don’t think it checked things out under my account because it didn’t ask me for my library card. He told me it was important to sign out or else someone could check things out under my name. Uhhh, yea, probably like I just did to whoever forgot to log out before! Problem is, the first screen after you log in kinda looks like what you might expect to find if you weren’t logged it—a button that says “check out books”. Since I had never used the machines before (remember, they were always broken!), I had no idea what the start up screen looked like! I had thought it odd that it didn’t ask for my card first, but then I thought that maybe it would just ask at the end.

So, I finally got the guy to understand that someone else had not logged out when I attempted to check out my book. He went behind the check out desk, unchecked out my book, and brought it back. He then proceeded to tell me how to scan the book, as if I was a complete idiot. “First you put the book on the platform, sloooooowly”. Umm, yea, obviously I figured out how to scan the book if I checked it out to someone else! Whatever, dude. So after showing me the steps on the screen, he once again stressed the importance of logging out when done. Thanks!

Overall, my first experience with the self check out was a bit frustrating. There were no clear instructions telling you what steps to take. I had no idea I was logged in already when I started scanning my book. Also, when the receipt printed out, it didn’t have any account or other info on it, so there was no way I could tell whether the book was checked out under anyone’s name. When you look at your books checked out, it also doesn’t list your name or account number, which could be a privacy thing, but it makes it hard to know what’s going on! I also think there should be a time limit, where if you don’t use it for a few minutes, it automatically logs you out—that way you lessen the liklihood that someone else will mistakenly use your account!

Anyway, obviously the system could use some work. It’s obviously got kinks if it was out of order for so long, but you’d think that now that it’s back online that they would have figured out what patrons needed in order to easily use it—things like what I listed above! I also didn’t really appreciate being talked through the process like I was stupid, when there was no way I could’ve known what was going on, and when I had already successfully done some of the steps he was sloooowly showing me. No need to be condescending! And also, what’s up with calling me Ma’am!?! I don’t look THAT old, do I???? He was at least my age, if not early 30’s, so sheesh!

Posted at 2:11 PM |