Case Story: German National Library

Modernizing Self-Service Pickup in a Historic Space

The German National Library (DNB) has a long tradition of preserving the nation’s cultural heritage. As part of a multi-year renovation and modernization effort at both its Leipzig and Frankfurt locations, the library set out to improve the user experience while honoring the character of its historic, listed buildings. The project combined architectural restoration, technical upgrades, and a rethinking of how users access the materials they come to study.

The Challenge

The renovation of the reading rooms and service areas required a sensitive balance. DNB wanted to create a more flexible and intuitive experience for users while maintaining the architectural integrity of both spaces dating back to the early twentieth century. Planning and preliminary assessments had been underway for several years before construction began, and the project involved significant work on heating, ventilation, lighting, and overall comfort.

At the same time, the library needed a service model that would allow users to pick up, return, and securely store materials independently. Accessibility, the ability to handle large-format materials, and support for users who request many items at once all needed to be part of the solution. All of this had to be compatible with strict preservation requirements and the realities of a protected building structure.

Implementation Within a Broader Modernization

The media lockers were installed by ARFIDO, alongside a larger modernization program that included climate improvements, new insulated windows, extensive lighting upgrades, and careful restorative work in the historic reading rooms in Leipzig. As the technical and architectural improvements took shape, the lockers were incorporated into newly created areas designed with materials and layouts that reflect both the original 1916 architecture in Leipzig and contemporary user needs. This allowed the DNB to introduce a new service model without compromising the structure or atmosphere of its historic spaces as well as the more modern building in Frankfurt.

The Solution: A Tailored System Based on the Book-O-Mat

To support its new service model, the DNB worked with Lyngsoe Systems Library Solutions to introduce a tailored media locker solution built on the Book-O-Mat technology from Lyngsoe’s partner, ARFIDO. For many years, the collaboration between Lyngsoe and ARFIDO has been highly rewarding, with each company complementing the other’s strengths, as demonstrated in this installation.

"Lyngsoe's experience in Western European markets in logistics and automation is a key asset in such demanding projects as DNB. Collaborating with a professional partner who prioritizes the highest technological quality and excellent customer service guarantees success in implementing projects of this scale. We are pleased that our joint efforts are yielding tangible results." – ARFIDO

The installation of the locker solution became an integral part of the renovated spaces in Leipzig and Frankfurt and was designed to blend in with the architectural context of the historic rooms.

The solution allows users to retrieve ordered materials, return them, and store them securely for later use. This is particularly valuable in research libraries, where materials often stay within the building. A researcher can collect materials in the morning, study them throughout the day, and place them back in any desired compartment for continued work the next day. This approach supports the steady, focused workflows that are essential in research environments.

To make the system flexible and practical, it was designed with a variety of different compartment types in addition to the standard sizes:

Extra wide units, affectionately called “pizza ovens” that can handle newspapers and other large formats.
Ground level compartments that can hold book carts for heavy users of the request system, making it easy to bring the materials into the Reading Room and return them independently.
Mid-height compartments that can be reserved for users with physical impairments.

The system also helps protect the collection by automatically rejecting media types that should not be stored in lockers such as music scores or maps. Staff use mobile workstations and a web-based client to oversee compartment availability and support circulation workflows. They are, moreover, present to support users with lockers and handle the media that cannot be stored in the compartments.

Results and Impact

DNB now offers a unique self-service experience that fits naturally within the renovated buildings. Users gain a straightforward and flexible way to access materials, including the ability to store items securely for continued use.

The system supports accessibility needs and provides simple handling of both large format materials and high-volume requests. Staff remain available at service desks whenever support is needed, ensuring a smooth experience for everyone.

The result is a service model that respects the national library’s identity while providing a modern, low-barrier experience for all users.

“The project was a success thanks to excellent collaboration between architects, engineers, library staff and IT specialists, as well as the involvement of users and designers. We are fully satisfied with the work carried out by Lyngsoe and ARFIDO, who always found solutions tailored to our needs. We would like to highlight the reliability of the boxes in everyday use and the positive reception they have received from users.” – Deutsche Nationalbibliothek.

Looking Ahead

After more than a year of positive user feedback, DNB is planning to extend the system to additional reading rooms, including the Music and Museum Reading Rooms in Leipzig. As the renovated areas continue to be fine-tuned through climate and airflow measurements, the focus remains on combining historical stewardship with modern service design.

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