INK stamps and checking books in and out will be consigned to the past as Wiltshire libraries embark on a hi-tech revolution.

Book lovers in Trowbridge, Chippenham and Warminster can now use new state-of-the-art Radio Frequency Identification machines to do everything from borrowing books to checking for fines.

The aim of the machines is so library staff can spend more time talking to the public.

Chris Moore, head of library services, said: "It has been a really positive start to this service, and it's pleasing to be able to get out onto the library floor to help people, recommend books, as well as increasing the display space for the all-important books.

"Customers have been willing to give it a go' and are usually pleasantly surprised at how simple it is.

"The main thing is that it frees up staff from doing mechanical jobs to get out from behind a desk and interact with people."

Users can now put their library card in a slot on the machine and choose from a range of functions.

Books are placed into the machine, with no need to put them in separately or open them up and the self-service machines will either check them in or out.

The cards inside the covers of books are retained so people can, if they want, write the date for returns in the book, or simply hold on to a receipt from the machine.

Staff have been spending time this week showing library users how to make the most of the new system.

District library supervisor Lynne Webb said: "It is really good and we have had an extremely positive response. Children love it and elderly people are also finding it very simple to use."

Two machines went live in Trowbridge on Monday after the library was closed last week for them to be installed, for books to be tagged and staff trained.

Warminster library's system was set up the previous week and the new machines have also been installed in Chippenham, Devizes and Salisbury.

RFID will make a projected saving of about £320,000 over three years.