When we go to the grocery store, some of the longest lines are not at the self checkouts. People like checking out their own groceries. It's easy and convenient. Many pizza places and other food delivery services now allow someone to place an order online and have it delivered (or picked up). Let's face it, many people just don't have the time to spend hours browsing, and then waiting forever in line for checkout. So why would someone want to spend hours looking for a book, only to wait forever in line, or worse, the book they are looking for is not even there!
Imagine being able to sit at home, find your book, reserve it online, pick it up and check it out yourself! Some libraries are actually starting to do this service. So it is not exactly getting the patron to spend hours at the library, but it does at least get the patron to use the services available to them. Who knows, maybe they'll still browse the library once they get there.
One of the things many fear about the library is overdue books and fines. Because of this, they will not go to the library and check out books, might as well buy the book. Now some libraries offer online renewal and account summary. Can't remember the due date? Check online using the library card number. Can't get to the library before the due date? Renew online. Some libraries even send emails reminding patrons when a book is due.
Even if all these features are not available at some libraries, almost all libraries have their catalog online and search able right from their websites. This way a patron can at least check to see if a book is available.
Having all these services available at a library just makes a patron want to use the library more. Any time a service can use technology to make things easy and convenient, the consumer will use it!
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