returning books to SS&H library
I wish to complain about the new book return system for the social sciences library. I walked over from the Michie Building to return library books via the external slot on top of the building. I could not return the books because I did not have my staff card with me. The system could not be activated without my card, which is surely ludicrous. Books have always been able to be returned without a card. The new system will deter people from returning books, and people will no longer be able to return books on behalf of others. People who drive out to return books after hours will also be dismayed to find they cannot now do what used to be so simple! Once I returned with my card, I was able to return the books but the process was interminable. Each book had to be precisely placed or the machine unceremoniously spat it back – surely this is a safety risk with heavy books. And each book had to be fully digested before the next one could be loaded in – the whole thing was so slow, annoying and time-consuming. Bring back the old system – technology that is WORSE than what worked before is not progress. What’s next? A call centre?
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Thank you for your comments, observations and feedback. I am sorry that the introduction of our new technology has created issues for you.
The external door will open either with your UQ ID card - just scan the barcode at the bottom of the ID card or scan the UQ Library barcode on the front of the book. This will open the external door mechanism and allow the return of our items.
I am sorry that you think this is not an improvement. I acknowledge that you are now unable to just dump and run library and sometimes non library items. The new return will only accept UQ LIbrary materials and will provide to you at the point of return, clear evidence on both the screen and in a printed receipt that you have in fact returned those items. The books do have to be placed with the library barcode facing up - so that they can be read.
I am hopeful that in the near future, we will be able to use RFID technology as we do in the Law Library.
If there is a problem with the external return chute - then during opening hours we have an internal return chute and after hours we have alternative - a manual return chute on level 1 of the Duhig Tower that can be used.
Bill Beach
Associate Director
Teaching & Learning Service [TALS]
The University of Queensland Library