Smart Lockers for Libraries
Advantages of the smart locker WIB machines for visitors:
- Secure storage of backpacks, bags, suitcases, and coats
- No need for keys or receipts to retrieve personal belongings
- No queue for collection once the visit is over
- The possibility of using the locker to collect books booked online
Benefits of smart locker WIB machines for libraries:
- Increased security
- Increased visitor retention
- Collection of personal belongings, discreetly and quietly, without disturbing other users
- No need for dedicated staff
- No need for a large installation space
- The possibility of using the locker for borrowing books without creating a queue
There are different ways to experience the library. Some people already know what book they want to borrow (and maybe even look it up in the online catalog to know exactly which shelf to go to once they arrive or book it for pickup when the service is available). So their stay in the building is minimal, other people (for example, college students) spend entire afternoons or days bent over books in the library study rooms.
Other times the library is a meeting place, where we can bring our children for read-aloud cycles, where we can relax reading our favorite magazines, and much more.
For those who want to stay longer, it’s important to provide Smart Lockers to safely store coats, bags, and personal items that we don’t need during our stay at the library, but don’t want to leave unattended either.
The WIB Smart Locker compartments work with a special wristband, smartphone, or fingerprint, so there is no need to carry cards, keys, or receipts that could be misplaced.
Since it is a fully automated system, then, it is not necessary to employ dedicated staff to assist visitors who are able to open and close the compartments independently.
Smart Lockers can also be used for book lending: a user could reserve a book from the web catalog and pick it up directly at the Smart Locker without having to go to the library desk.
Università Cattolica of Milan Chooses WIB for Its Library Smart Locker
To enhance book loan management, the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore has installed a WIB Smart Locker on its Milan campus, providing students with a more efficient and flexible service.
The system, comprising 82 compact lockers (each capable of holding up to three books), was custom-designed to meet the library’s needs. It features a badge reader, QR/barcode scanner, thermal printer for optional receipts, and an uninterruptible power supply to ensure operation even in case of a blackout.
Students can reserve books through the library’s online catalog and receive an email notification at 5:30 PM with availability details. If the request is made in the morning, the books are typically placed in the locker the same day; otherwise, the next day. During reservation, accessibility options can also be selected, such as locker height.
Pickup is simple: students just use a QR code or an alphanumeric code received via email. Staff also find the system intuitive: they simply scan their badge and select the desired operation via a touchscreen, with the option to lock specific lockers if needed.
Thanks to a user-friendly interface and seamless integration with the library management system, the WIB Smart Locker has optimized time and resources, extending service hours without increasing staff workload. The system has received very positive feedback from students, who appreciate the convenience and freedom to collect books at any time.
Bocconi University of Milan Chooses a Smart Locker for Its “Library of Things”
At Bocconi University in Milan, there’s a library that lends not books, but objects: the university has launched its first Smart “Library of Things”. Thanks to WIB’s technology (which provided the Smart Lockers), students can borrow everyday items—such as umbrellas, tools, small appliances, or tech devices—for free using an app and an automated, secure, 24/7-accessible system.
The idea behind the project is simple: many items are only needed occasionally, and sharing them rather than buying helps reduce waste and promotes more mindful consumption.
The service is completely free for students and serves as a concrete example of how universities can combine innovation, sustainability, and community spirit—encouraging values such as trust, collaboration, and social responsibility among young people.
Interview with Andrea Sinigaglia, Technical Director and Key Account Manager at Our Partner ISNG (Library Technologies)
Behind every milestone achieved by WIB, there is a team effort that goes beyond company boundaries. We work with a network of carefully selected partners, each with specific expertise in different fields, helping us make WIB smart lockers increasingly versatile tools—able to adapt to a wide variety of needs and contexts, from industry to sports, shared spaces, and the world of culture.
Today, we shine a light on this last area by sharing a concrete example of synergy: our partnership with ISNG, a company that has spent nearly twenty years working to transform Italian libraries into smarter, more automated, and more inclusive spaces.
To better understand how this collaboration was born and continues to grow, we spoke with Andrea Sinigaglia, Technical Director and Key Account Manager at ISNG, who helped us take a closer look at the vision and solutions that make this transformation possible.
