Purpose: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Slovenian public libraries resorted to alternative forms of lending, where the transaction is contactless or with minimal contact. This article aims to identify which technological solutions public libraries used for lending physical materials and whether the pandemic has caused changes in the borrowing movement at book self-service machines, where physical books can be borrowed independently using technology.
Methodology/approach: Two research methods were used – content analysis and statistical data analysis. In the first part of the research, content analysis was conducted using freely available websites, annual reports, Slovenian public libraries’ social media and statistical data from BibSiSt. In the second part of the research statistical analysis of the data on material lending of five Slovenian public libraries was conducted.
Results: Data analysis revealed that the coronavirus pandemic led to a significant decrease in lending at self-service machines, where an even greater decline was recorded compared to other lending methods. Nevertheless, the pandemic encouraged libraries to invest in various technologies enabling contactless lending methods, such as book self-service machines, parcel lockers, and smart lockers.
Research limitation: The sample included only five Slovenian public libraries, which vary greatly in the number of users. To draw more specific conclusions, it would be advisable to include a larger number of libraries with comparable users and similar infrastructure.
Originality/practical implications: The results provide insights into the use of self-service machines and the investments in technological solutions for lending in Slovenian public libraries during the pandemic and can help plan and implement contactless lending methods in the future.
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