Girmantas Stungurys
Author
2026-05-08 14:52 • 4 min read
Residents of Riešė, a growing settlement in the Vilnius district, no longer need to coordinate with library working hours or travel to neighboring towns to borrow books. A new automated book locker has been installed on Sporto Street, filling a cultural gap in an area that lacks a physical library branch. This infrastructure expansion allows the community to access the collections of the Vilnius District Municipal Central Library at any time of day.
The new device is located at Sporto g. 3, Riešė. This strategic location was chosen to be accessible not only to local residents but also to those living in surrounding villages and suburban areas. The primary advantage of this service is its total independence from office hours; the locker operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, allowing books to be collected early in the morning or late at night.
This is the second such installation in the Vilnius district. The first has been successfully operating at the Central Library in Rudamina. The choice of Riešė for expansion was intentional, as the rapidly growing community previously had no local library. The automated solution was deemed the most efficient way to ensure book accessibility for a large number of readers.
To use the service, readers must follow a few steps online or contact library staff directly. The process begins with reserving the desired items:
Online: Via the iBiblioteka portal (Lithuania’s national library system). Select the desired books and choose “Riešės knygomatas” (Riešė book locker) in the order window.
By Phone: Call the Reader Service Department at +370 5 232 0142.
By Email: Send a request to [email protected].
A critical requirement for a successful order is ensuring that a correct and valid mobile phone number is provided in the user’s iBiblioteka account. The system sends an SMS with a unique PIN code as soon as the books are placed in the locker.
At the locker, the collection process takes about a minute. Users must press the asterisk (*), wait for the signal, and enter the six-digit PIN. The door will then open automatically. Borrowed books must be returned to the same locker using the specifically marked return slot.
The locker’s contents are not updated daily. The Vilnius District Municipal Central Library has established a weekly logistics schedule: orders are processed and new books are delivered to the device every Tuesday. This means that readers who order books on a Wednesday should expect them to arrive the following Tuesday.
This centralized system optimizes transport costs and ensures systematic replenishment. Library officials emphasize that this service supports both leisure reading and education, as specialized educational literature can also be requested through the system.
Key Information for Residents:
Feature
Details
Address
Sporto g. 3, Riešė
Operating Hours
24/7
Service Day
Tuesday (Restocking)
Ordering
iBiblioteka portal, or tel. +370 5 232 0142
This innovation reflects a broader trend of modernizing public services in regional areas where maintaining physical branches is resource-intensive, but resident mobility and the demand for fast service are increasing.
Where is the new book locker located in Riešė?
The locker is located at Sporto g. 3, Riešė, in the Vilnius district.
How do I know when my books are ready for collection?
Once the library staff places your books in the locker, you will receive an SMS message with a unique PIN code to open the locker door.
When are new book orders delivered to the locker?
Restocking and order fulfillment take place once a week, every Tuesday.
Can I return books to this locker?
Yes, borrowed books should be returned to the same locker using the dedicated return slot.