"It’s not often that a librarian is warned to stay away from the bookshelves because of high voltage and that students aren’t allowed to roam freely through the stacks. At Chicago State University, only robots are allowed to browse most books and archives. To get a particular book, students and faculty must log onto the library’s website and place an order for a title. The library’s computer system directs a robotic crane—dubbed “Rover”—to retrieve one of more than 6,300 bins. The crane then brings the bin to a workstation at the front of the warehouse, where library staff picks up the book..."

Los Angeles Times, Apr. 22

While I get it, it eliminates browsing the stacks for surprises.