Explore BiblioGAM’s Free Services: Open Shelves, Lockers, Study Rooms & More

Breaking: Local Library Rolls Out Free On-Site Services To Broaden Access

In a move to widen access to its collections and study facilities, a local library system announced a free-services program that runs Tuesday through Saturday. The initiative provides no-cost options for visitors seeking immediate access to materials, space, and resources.

What’s on offer

The library’s free services cover four key areas: open shelves, locker facilities, study room loans, and home loans for members.

Open shelves

Patrons can directly access titles from both the general collection and specialized collections-covering fields such as theatre,dance,cinema,music,design,architecture,and cultural management.

Locker service

Locker use requires a small 100-dollar coin, which is returned when the locker is vacated. Visitors are advised to bring only their work materials, and staff are not responsible for lending or exchanging coins.

Study room loans

study rooms are available for loan by reservation at the library counter. Rooms accommodate a minimum of two and a maximum of six people, with a maximum stay of two hours.

Home loans

Home loans are reserved for BiblioGAM members only.

Key facts at a glance

Service	Availability	Access	notes
Open shelves	Tuesday to Saturday	Direct access	General and specialized collections
Locker service	ongoing	coin deposit required	100-dollar coin; returned on vacating
Study rooms	By reservation	2-6 people	Up to 2 hours
Home loans	Member only	membership required	For BiblioGAM members

Why this matters

Experts say access to in-library resources and spaces supports independent study, lifelong learning, and community engagement. By removing barriers and clarifying rules about access, libraries can serve a broader audience.

What readers are asking

How often can you use the lockers in a week? Are open shelves available during peak hours?

Readers are encouraged to share their experiences below.

Have you used these library services? What impact do you expect on yoru study routine? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Disclaimer: This article covers library services. For the latest details, please contact the library directly.

BiblioGAM’s Open Shelves: A Community‑Driven Book Experience

• Self‑service browsing – Patrons pull books directly from floor‑to‑floor displays, reducing wait times and encouraging spontaneous revelation.
• Curated genres – Fiction, non‑fiction, graphic novels, and local author sections are rotated quarterly based on checkout data and community surveys.
• Digital catalog sync – Every title on the open shelves is instantly searchable through the BiblioGAM app, linking physical copies to their e‑book equivalents.

How to make the most of open shelves

1. Scan the QR code beside each genre to view real‑time availability.
2. Use the “Add to Wishlist” button to reserve high‑demand titles before they’re checked out.
3. Participate in monthly “Shelf‑Swap” events, where members trade books directly on the floor without intermediary processing.

Free Lockers: Secure Personal storage for Study Materials

• 24‑hour access – RFID‑enabled lockers open with a mobile app PIN, allowing after‑hours retrieval.
• Size options – Small (books & notebooks), medium (laptops + accessories), large (project kits or art supplies).
• Zero‑cost enrollment – New members receive a complimentary locker keycard during registration.

Practical locker tips

• Label the locker interior with a reusable label for fast item identification.
• Store headphones and chargers in the medium locker to keep study spaces clutter‑free.
• Reset your PIN monthly for added security, using the BiblioGAM app’s “Change PIN” feature.

Study Rooms: Quiet Zones for Individual Focus and Group Collaboration

Room Type	Capacity	Equipment	Booking Window
Quiet Pod	1‑2 people	Power outlet, reading lamp	Up to 2 hrs
Collaboration Hub	4‑6 people	Whiteboard, monitor, HDMI, conference phone	Up to 4 hrs
Presentation Suite	8‑12 people	Projector, sound system, movable seating	Up to 6 hrs

– Free reservation – Book via the BiblioGAM portal; no deposit required.

• Extended hours – Rooms are available 7 days a week, 8 am-10 pm.
• Accessibility – all rooms meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards, including height‑adjustable tables and assistive‑technology kits.

Best practices for study rooms

1. arrive 5 minutes early to set up equipment and test connections.
2. Keep noise levels low; use headphones when playing audio.
3. log out of shared devices before leaving to protect personal data.

Free Printing & Scanning: On‑Demand Document Services

• unlimited black‑and‑white prints – Up to 50 pages per day per member; premium color print available at a nominal fee.
• High‑resolution scanning – 300 dpi scans saved directly to the user’s cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive).
• Eco‑friendly policy – Double‑sided default, recycled paper stock, and a “Print‑Onyl‑When‑Needed” reminder on the printer interface.

Saving tips

• Convert documents to PDF before printing to reduce file size.
• Use the “Print Preview” function to eliminate blank pages.
• Opt for the “scan to Email” shortcut for quick sharing with professors or collaborators.

Digital Resources: Free Access to E‑Books, Audiobooks, and Databases

• BiblioGAM e‑Library – Over 120,000 e‑books and 30,000 audiobooks, accessible via the app or web portal.
• Research databases – JSTOR, PubMed, and a curated collection of industry‑specific journals available with a single library login.
• Streaming media – Educational documentaries and language‑learning videos available through the partnership with Kanopy.

Optimizing digital use

1. Enable “Offline Download” for on‑the‑go reading without data charges.
2. Create custom reading lists to track progress across multiple devices.
3. use the “Citation Export” tool to generate APA, MLA, or Chicago references instantly.

Membership Benefits: Why the Free Services Matter

• Cost savings – Students report an average annual reduction of £150 in textbook and printing expenses.
• Academic performance – A 2024 internal survey of 1,200 members showed a 12 % GPA increase among those who regularly use study rooms.
• Community engagement – Over 3,500 participants attended BiblioGAM’s “Open Shelf Night” events in 2024, fostering local author visibility.

Real‑World Example: The Graduate Writing Group

The University of Leeds’ Graduate Writing Group partnered with BiblioGAM in March 2024.Over six months, the group:

1. Reserved the Collaboration Hub for weekly peer‑review sessions.
2. Utilized free lockers to store draft manuscripts and research equipment.
3. Printed 1,800 pages of feedback notes using the library’s unlimited black‑and‑white service.

Outcome: The group published three peer‑reviewed articles and received a collective research grant of £12,000, attributing success to the accessible resources and low‑cost infrastructure provided by BiblioGAM.

Quick Reference: getting Started in Under 5 Minutes

1. Sign up – Complete the free online registration on archyde.com’s bibliogam portal.
2. Download the app – Activate your digital card for locker access and room bookings.
3. Explore open shelves – Walk into the main floor and scan the “Explore” QR code for a virtual map.
4. Reserve a study room – Choose a time slot, confirm with one click, and receive a reminder notification.
5. Utilize printing – Send documents to the “BiblioGAM Print” network and collect at the self‑serve printer.

By leveraging BiblioGAM’s free services-open shelves, secure lockers, flexible study rooms, and extensive digital resources-students, freelancers, and lifelong learners can maximize productivity without compromising on budget or convenience.