Our local public library has a similar system. You check out your books by placing the pile on a sensor and a screen lists the books you placed there, then you

Our local public library has a similar system. You check out your books by placing the pile on a sensor and a screen lists the books you placed there, then you scan your library card and it's done. To return them, you put them down a chute that scans them as returned instantly (then still goes into a bin for staff to return them to shelf). There's half a dozen of these automated checkouts, and 1 staff person elsewhere at a desk for support, questions, info, etc. There's also terminals all over the library that you can use to search for books, games, DVDs, etc, and it'll tell you where they are and if they're available or checked out, and if checked out, when they're due back so you can reserve them.