Library Hold Shelf Labels

Hold shelves at public libraries use a simple labeling system where reserved books are filed alphabetically by the requester's last name. Colored dot stickers on the spine show the pickup deadline without having to pull the book out and check. Entirely self-service, the system lets you walk in, find your letter, grab your books, and scan them at the kiosk on your way out. I like that the whole interaction takes about 90 seconds and doesn't require talking to anyone, which is exactly right for a library where quiet is the default mode. Reserved books get to the right person efficiently, with alphabetical order meaning you never have to search more than a few feet of shelf space.