FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): The Allen County Public Library is expanding its 24/7 holds locker service to the Waynedale and Tecumseh branches, giving patrons additional options to pick up library materials outside normal operating hours.

According to the Allen County Public Library, the new lockers are located at the Waynedale Branch, 2200 Lower Huntington Road, and the Tecumseh Branch, 1411 E. State Blvd.

Library officials said the expansion follows the success of a pilot program launched at the Dupont Branch in 2024. The library reports that more than 20,000 items were picked up through the Dupont holds lockers last year.

Patrons can reserve materials online through the library’s website or mobile app and select either the Waynedale Holds Locker or Tecumseh Holds Locker as their pickup location. Once materials are available, users receive a notification and can retrieve their items by scanning their library card at the locker kiosk.

“The response to our original holds lockers showed us how much patrons value flexible access to library materials,” ACPL Public Services Manager Tonya Frandle said in a news release. “Expanding this service to additional branches helps us better serve people with busy schedules or who work outside of library operating hours, making library access even more convenient.”

According to ACPL, the lockers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can accommodate materials of various sizes. Items remain available for pickup for up to seven days after patrons are notified.

Library officials noted that some oversized materials, interlibrary loan items and certain Library of Things materials are not eligible for locker pickup.

The expansion is part of ACPL’s 2024-2028 strategic plan, which includes increasing public access to library services through technology and other innovations, according to the library.