Retail
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March 10, 2025
The Washington County Free Library has deployed card-enabled smart lockers at local shopping centers, extending its library services beyond traditional branch locations and hours, according to a Campus ID News report. This initiative allows patrons to reserve and retrieve library materials at their convenience, day or night, using their library ID cards.
The system complements existing smart locker installations at library branches and includes book return boxes at all six locations, streamlining the borrowing and return process. Users reserve materials online and receive automated notifications when their items are ready for pickup.
«We are always looking for innovative ways to serve our community better. With the expansion of our smart locker system, we are extending our reach beyond traditional operating hours, ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need, whenever they need them,» Jenny Bakos, executive director of WCFL, told the news outlet.
The library’s move highlights a trend of utilizing smart lockers to enhance service delivery and accommodate the needs of busy individuals, a concept that could also be applied in higher education settings for services like food pickup and parcel delivery.