Round Rock Public Library adds more bays to its popular SMART Hold locker

Round_Rock_Library_SMART_locker_case_study - Banner

The Library - Round Rock Public Library

The Round Rock Public Library (RRPL) serves a diverse and growing community in Central Texas, 15 miles north of Austin. Round Rock’s estimated population is 131,235 with 74,490 active library cardholders. In 2023, the library circulated 1,474,903 items and welcomed 449,234 visits.

Recognizing that the RRPL is a gateway to the community, its mission is to provide the highest quality educational, informational, leisure, and cultural resources and services to a diverse population.

The Challenge - Improving Patron Access

Since early 2020, as triple crises rocked the community; the global pandemic, the ensuing economic disruptions, and the forefronting of long-existing racial inequities, customer priorities changed for the RRPL.

This shifted the library’s focus towards reskilling, community healing, and protecting the well-being of its customers by providing alternative ways to access resources.

The RRPL identified a need for a contactless means of delivering library items, as well as providing access to patrons who work or have other commitments that prevent them from visiting the library during opening hours.

Geeta Halley, Assistant Director at the RRPL, who oversees the circulation division of the library, said:

“We are committed to giving individuals, families, and businesses an opportunity to expand their knowledge, encourage personal growth, and enhance the quality of life in our dynamic and changing community.

“The library offers a broad and relevant collection to promote lifelong reading and learning, and we are constantly seeking the latest technology to help us increase access to these essential resources.”

The Solution - Library Pickup Lockers

Geeta was first introduced to D-Tech International at the Public Library Association’s (PLA) conference in 2018. She discovered that our SMART Hold lockers were the only lockers built to withstand outdoor environments, thanks to a weather-resistant, anti-corrosive steel chassis. So, when the RRPL needed to respond to the community’s needs during the pandemic, Geeta knew exactly who to turn to:

“D-Tech’s SMART Hold Lockers were perfect to meet the needs of a variety of customers and provide a unique service delivery option. They were the only lockers, at the time, designed to be truly outdoors. We knew this feature would enable us to find spaces in other parts of Round Rock to expand access to the library.”

D-Tech initially installed 15 SMART Hold lockers for the RRPL. This provided a secure, contactless, self-service collection and drop-off solution, giving patrons 24/7 access to the library.

With D-Tech’s custom wrapping service, the RRPL’s SMART Hold lockers arrived fully branded with the library’s logo and business information. This helped to promote the library’s new pickup lockers as well as reassure users.

The Results - Significantly Widened Community Reach

D-Tech’s SMART Hold lockers, which received a 2024 Modern Libraries Platinum Award, have proved popular with residents of Round Rock. The RRPL has continued to add lockers each year, with its patrons now benefiting from 54 in total.

“The success of the lockers speaks for itself as we add more and more in response to demand,” said Geeta. “The Hold lockers have significantly widened our reach within the community and improved our customer experience. It’s wonderful to see so many patrons accessing books and learning materials who wouldn’t otherwise be able to use our services as easily.”

Geeta, who also does programming for entrepreneurs and small business owners, has taken an active role in promoting the use of the RRPL’s SMART Hold lockers. This has included a dedicated page on the library’s website with answers to frequently asked questions on topics such as the Hold lockers’ locations, how to use them and access requirements.

The RRPL is a fantastic example of the important role public libraries play in supporting and connecting communities. This notably includes the library’s new Discovery Pass Program, encouraging access to history and culture with free entry to local attractions. And, as the RRPL continues to invest in its popular Hold lockers, we are proud to support the library in making its resources accessible to all.