During the pandemic, many customers were unable to visit the library in person and browse the shelves due to the library closure and after the library reopened, maintaining COVID-19 precautions. Customers said again and again how they missed browsing the shelves. To fill this need, Dallas Public Library developed Book Bundles and a new way to provide customers with the joy of discovery that browsing brings.

Service goals include increasing customer engagement and satisfaction. A team manages incoming requests with staff systemwide processing items using written procedures.
Bundle selections are made via web forms, available in English and Spanish, for Adult Library Bundles and Youth Discovery Bundles. The service adds fun and whimsy by using big purple bags for the bundles and silly, tongue in cheek descriptions like "Kick-Ass Women – Tough, smart female protagonists" and "YA for Adults – We get it, adulting is hard."

There have been 673 requests with an estimated 4,580 items circulated. Staff expect the ongoing service to be seasonal, seeing increased requests during school breaks.

Customer comments include:

• "I want to be surprised! This is my second book bundle and the first was awesome."
• "They have loved these book bundles so far! Thanks, and what a great idea!"
• "You did a great job on the last bundle so just do it again."
• "I really miss browsing the shelves myself!"