Panevėžys Elena Mezginaitė Public Library presents a new free service – book lending machine. It is a contactless book borrowing service for library readers.

Pre-ordered books in the library’s electronic catalog can be picked up by readers at a time convenient to them, even when the library is closed. The bookstore has 10 boxes for picking up books and an additional book return box for the convenience of readers.

This is the first such service in Panevėžys, relevant not only during quarantine but also in any other period, operating 24 hours a day. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, especially convenient for those who work and hurry. We are the third library in Lithuania offering this service.

The principle of operation of a book lending machine is very similar to that of a self-service post terminal machine. To pick up books from the library at a convenient time and safely, readers must perform the following actions – order a book in the library’s electronic catalog, submit an application online at a library website, receive an SMS message on their mobile phone. When you come to pick up the ordered publications, all you have to do is type in the received code on the book lending machine‘s keyboard.

This innovative library solution ensures the safety of library staff and readers. During the first three working days, 18 visitors used the bookstore service. New cultural magazines were waiting for the first visitor together with the ordered books.

                                                                                       Anžela Vasiliauskienė