Cooper-Siegel and Sharpsburg Community Libraries have expanded their services with an around-the-clock pickup option in two municipalities.
Cooper-Siegel and Sharpsburg Community Libraries hosted two ribbon-cutting ceremonies on Aug. 13, debuting two pickup book lockers, one located outside the Sharpsburg Library at 1212 Main St. and the other outside at 171 Freeport Road near Jersey Mike’s sub shop in Blawnox.
Both lockers are located outside.
Cooper-Siegel Community Library executive director Jill McConnell kicked off the program and demonstrated how to use the book lockers.
“Unlock Your Next Read” is the slogan prominently displayed on the side of the large gray, red and blue metal lockers outfitted with different-sized locker boxes to accommodate various sizes of library materials.
“I want to thank my staff for embracing this new technology as a way to expand library service in our communities,” McConnell said.
Joyce Hanz | TRIBLIVE
A new, free library book locker located outside Jersey Mike’s eatery at 171 Freeport Road in Blawnox.
Both lockers were paid for through an Allegheny Regional Asset District grant from RAD’s Transformative Community Library Fund.
The lockers are free and available to patrons 24/7. They are used nationally by libraries and are touted for their contactless pickups, space-saving convenience, round-the-clock accessibility and secure operating methods.
Joyce Hanz | TRIBLIVE
Cooper-Siegel Community Library Executive Director Jill McConnell demonstrates how to use the Smiota-brand lockers on Aug. 13 at Sharpsburg Community Library located at 1212 Main St. in Sharpsburg.
Easy-to-use
Patrons can place a library item on hold in the library’s online catalog and select either Blawnox Lockers or Sharpsburg Lockers as their pickup location.
When the item is ready for pickup, the patron will be notified via text and/or email that includes a QR code and a five-digit code.
When arriving at the locker, patrons can lift the flexible cover over the screen and touch the patron button.
The locker door will pop open after the QR code is scanned and the five-digit code is entered.
Patrons have seven days to pick up items from a locker and items may be returned at the book drop outside both libraries.
Monroeville Public Library is donating a book drop receptacle to the project, which is expected to be installed soon.
Sharpsburg Community Library branch manager Sara Mariacher said the lockers fill an important gap for library patron services.
“Our hours don’t always align with our patrons’ needs, so these lockers will allow them to utilize the library in ways they couldn’t usually do. Some portions of our service area don’t have easily accessible public transit routes,” Mariacher said.
Mariacher noted the Sharpsburg Community Library is open 30 hours per week and averages about 50 requests per month that never get picked up, in part due to the library’s limited hours.
“This new option to pick up items outside of traditional library hours should resolve this issue,” Mariacher said.
Sharpsburg Borough Manager Christine DeRunk praised the addition of the public lockers, noting the project was several years in the making by library officials.
“We in the borough absolutely love the library and it’s such a tremendous resource for our community,” she said. “Having these lockers available so patrons can get materials outside of business hours greatly expands opportunities for community members. A lot of our residents work non-traditional jobs when the library is open.”
The locker unveilings represent phase one of a larger project to benefit library patrons.
The remaining $74,324 RAD grant will pay for Sharpsburg Community Library courtyard renovations, programming facility upgrades and a recently completed Community Needs Survey.
Blawnox has never had a brick-and-mortar library and the new book locker provides the first-ever library outlet for the borough.
“For those residents who may not have the time or access to our two libraries, this will allow them to be able to enjoy books, movies and other library materials more easily. Patrons can now request their library materials be delivered to a locker instead of a library building, allowing them to pick up materials at their convenience, instead of within library operating hours,” Mariacher said.
Combined, the Sharpsburg Community and Cooper-Siegel Community Libraries have more than 13,765 library cardholders and in 2024, more than 364,300 items were borrowed by cardholders.
Library board president Steve Lackey of Fox Chapel attended the ribbon-cutting ceremonies and noted the libraries are always evolving, despite books remaining the number one resource available.
“The most important part of these lockers is access,” said Lackey, of Fox Chapel. “It gives access to people who would otherwise couldn’t use the library. Blawnox now has a physical location in the borough where people can pick up and deposit books. So that’s great.”
Lackey said the next area slated for a book locker is Indiana Township.
To learn more about the library book lockers, visit smiota.com/library or download the Smiota app.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com