First U.S. Library Vending Machine Opens in Oklahoma

November 11, 2013

A twenty-four hour vending machine holding more than four hundred pieces of media was unveiled recently in Norman, Oklahoma at the Irving Recreation Center. The Pioneer Library System chose to use this method of technology to help service customers in areas that have no easily accessible branch library. The machine requires that library patrons scan their cards and dispenses their choice of book, can be returned at the same location. Patrons can also pick up books on hold and pay library fines with a credit card. The system can also be used as a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Manufactured by EnvisionWare, the automated library model that is being used in Oklahoma costs $200,000. The concept, already very popular in China, is sure to spread in the United States where self-service and tech-friendly libraries are more and more becoming the norm. Milwaukee is scheduled to have an automated library vending machine by the end of the year.

Visit Book Riot to see a short video of the book-vending machine in action.


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