Technology is supposed to increase efficiency...so what happened?

In LIS2000 or was it 2600, we discussed about how technology is supposed to increase efficiency i.e. cost of production or inputs is supposed to yield a higher output than previously when the technology does not exist. However, Dr Tomer commented about how libraries are now put through the wringer because libraries are instead spending more and more on manpower as technology advances.

That made me a little uncomfortable as I cannot quite reconcile with that. Not that I do not agree with Dr Tomer. In fact, yes logically, what Dr Tomer said is true - that technology is supposed to increase efficiency. Therefore, theoretically, manpower cost should go down when more technology is employed. However, what made me uncomfortable is because I seem to be acting and advocating just the opposite of that now! Let me explain - Our museums are putting up collections on the public domain. We are hiring dedicated people to clean-up the content systematically and make commentaries on these artefact that are suitable for online display. In fact, I am advocating the need to have dedicated people in the museums to do that. Chiefly because museum curators cannot be relied on to contribute in this aspect, because the traditional museum setup and professional framework do not reward curators for this new role museums are taking on. The new role of making their collections available online; the new role necessitated by the digital culture we are in today.

I would therefore opined that new roles and reward system need to be in place to encourage museums to make available their collections online.

Now, this seems to contradict what technology is supposed to do. Both arguments seem to make sense; therefore, are they indeed mutually exclusive of each other?

I am still wondering how to reconcile this...