End of the librarian? Council cuts and new tech push profession to the brink

Staff in England's public libraries under threat of being replaced by automated checkouts amid budget pressures

The role of the traditional librarian behind the counter" is under threat in a drive by councils to cut staff hours using self-service checkouts. Officials in some local authorities are proposing that libraries can be operated at times without any professional librarians, relying on self-service technology, smartcards for entry and CCTV.

This has been criticised as a mad idea", limiting access to librarians' advice and expertise for the young, vulnerable and many elderly people.