Toronto Public Library Hopes to Put Book-Lending Vending Machine at City’s Union Station

The Toronto Public Library hopes to roll out a book-lending machine at Union Station by the end of the year. If it’s successful, more could be on their way.

“You aren’t expecting a library presence in Union Station, so it will be a convenient way for commuters to access library content,” said Ana-Maria Critchley, the library’s manager of stakeholder relations.

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Several cities have strategically placed kiosks at transit hubs so readers can borrow books for the short period of time they spend waiting for a subway or bus.

The article includes examples of similar projects elsewhere in Canada and California.

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Books and More: A Few More Library Vending Machine  (aka “Kiosk”) Examples

• Borrow an iPad Using a Vending Machine, A New Service From Drexel University Libraries & Free Library of Philadelphia Partnership (April 3, 2015)

• San Diego County Public Library Opens 24/7 Library Kiosk, First of Its Kind on West Coast (December 20, 2013)

• Pennsylvania: Northland Public Library Places Book/DVD Kiosks at Local YMCA and Community Center (May 10, 2013)

• Robolibraries Rolling Out in Chicago Suburbs (March 7, 2012)

• Malaysia: “Easier Access To Books Via the Vending Machine” (March 17, 2011)

See Also: Info and Video From a Maker of Library Vending Machines, EnvisionWare