With isolation conditions because of the global COVID-19 pandemic still in place, safety concerns remain top of mind for many families. While having some extra time to read might be an unexpected benefit of the situation, being able to take advantage of the convenience of your local public library with limited open hours and an added need to avoid crowded spaces create unique challenges for library patrons to solve.
Fortunately, this is an issue that many public library systems have been looking to solve for a while. For example, in 2015 the Salt Lake City Public Library system investigated the possibility of keeping their library options open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
This is not a new idea – several libraries on educational campuses stay open 24/7 during exam periods. In fact, according to the Library Journal, more than 3 dozen college libraries stay open full-time throughout the year.
There are even some library systems, such as the Twin Cities in Minnesota who have looked into the idea of open libraries that coordinate customer book requests through online catalogs and manage the logistics of book lending through automated systems.
The challenge for public library systems to make all this work is the logistics. Coordinating customer order data with available book holdings, and then finding a safe and secure way to deliver books to readers.
With heightened safety concerns and a need for cost effective solutions, many public library leaders have looked to automated technology that can complement their existing library management systems (LMS).
Luckily, forward thinking companies like Luxer One have been designing solution- oriented technology such as interactive Smart Lockers that could provide an innovative solution to this very problem.
Luxer One’s smart locker systems are managed via smartphone app, offering an intuitive user experience that can be accessed 24 hours a day. With this added access, working families could find ways to continue to enjoy library services at their own convenience.
For more information on how Smart Library Locker systems can help your organization, feel free to contact our team today!
