I VISITED the children’s section of Oxford’s Central Library last Saturday.

After selecting some books I went to the desk to have them scanned and stamped by the librarian.

However, the librarian instead took me to a desk near the exit which had a computer screen.

She showed me how to select the right screen and where to scan my library card and register the books out to myself. It produced a ticket which listed the book titles and when they were due to be returned.

I found the experience very saddening and I don’t understand the logic. I have not had problems in the past waiting for books to be registered, and I believe we need interaction with other people.

We should be able to say hello and goodbye, please and thank you, and to have conversation.

It is so important. Children are already being ignored by adults who talk or texting on phones, and who put their children in front of a TV or computer.

Now when they go to their library, they see their parent or carer deal with yet another machine.

Children need to be spoken to and see adults talking together too.

As a child I remember enjoying listening to the bus conductors’ conversations with their passengers, and shop assistants talking to customers. Now that is going to, with the introduction of self-service tills.

The use of machines is replacing human interaction. Older people, lonely people, the unemployed, and those who have English as a second language who regularly visit the library have, in the past, been guaranteed interaction. This will now be lessened. A smile and a few words can brighten up everyone’s day.

I know that staffing can be expensive but I also know that librarians aren’t earning vast sums of money. Why put more out of work when they provide such a wonderful, helpful service?

E BENNETT, Marston Road, Oxford