library fools
so our local library just got a great new upgrade. there are six new check out machines. each one can scan 4 books at a time nearly instantaneously. which is pretty cool. the old check in method was to put your books on a conveyor belt that took them to the back room where staff piled them up to be processed later. the new check in method is four machines with a door that opens and closes. each machine processes one book at a time. each book disappears into the same back room. the smart conveyor belts sort them into piles going to different parts of the library. very convenient for the staff. they can probably cut back a person. however... ohm's law says the number of books going into the library equals the number of books going out. uh oh. i'm thinking there is going to be a massive line of people waiting to check in their books one at a time. they're gonna get really unhappy. heh. i'm predicting they're going to have to re-hire that person to feed the machines during peak hours. like all weekend. heh. so now, instead of having large stacks of books safely stored hidden away in the back room... there are going to large stacks of books out in the open in the library lobby. dumb.