Inauguration of Budapest's first 24/7 library parcel locker

As the latest result of the development of the National Széchényi Library (NSZL), Péter Hoppál, Secretary of State for Culture of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation inaugurated the new book return and lending machine of the National Library of Foreign Literature (NLFL) on Monday, 12 September 2022, at 11 am. The device allows for quick self-service during the library's opening hours, but its real advantage is that it provides a lending service independent of the building's opening hours: for the first time in Budapest, readers can use it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The NSZL has reached an important stage in its ongoing renewal: it is not only modernising the interiors of its central building, but also expanding and renewing the services of its own library organisations and those of its affiliates.

The national library has always placed great emphasis on serving nationalities, and the NLFL has fulfilled this commitment. As one of the youngest special libraries of the country, it is the coordinator of the supply of information and documents for ethnic minorities in Hungary. As a community space, it organises events, workshops and book presentations specifically for nationalities on a regular basis. Its collection of world literature, linguistics and music in original languages provides an ideal framework for these events.

Today's new machine will facilitate out-of-hours service for readers. The locker can be used to check out and return books and other documents pre-ordered by the library's readers. The machine is located at the entrance of the building; after the library closes, the outer door can be opened with the reader's card, similar to the ATMs. The book can also be collected with a library card and a PIN code or a one-time code received at the time of the request. After scanning or entering the codes, the book locker opens and the returned book can be placed in an empty locker. The process is similar to that of a parcel delivery machine. Instead of using a plastic card, a virtual library pass stored in the mobile app can be used.