There are vending machines for just about everything you can imagine. Food and beverages are the most common types, but walk through any airport in America and you’ll see vending machines for electronics, skincare products, easily-forgotten items (like sunblock, over-the-counter medication and more) and movies. Is it any wonder that book vending machines exist in Los Angeles, CA, too? Anything that promotes literacy is a good idea—and this “novel” way of distributing reading material can excite children and adults alike.

How they work

Book vending machines aren’t that different from any other type—insert payment or tokens to receive the book of your choice. It’s a little harder to read the jacket copy, of course, and you can’t flip through the pages to preview the writing. On the other hand, this is the perfect opportunity to judge a book by its cover, guilt free.

Book vending machines in Los Angeles, CA depend on someone knowledgeable to stock them, so you might consider watching the New York Times bestseller list, or seeing what local libraries and schools recommend for certain age groups. Depending on where you plan to install your book vending machine, you can tailor the selections for specific markets.

Could a book vending machine be right for you?

There are plenty of benefits to installing a book vending machine in your office or commercial building. First, it’s a great way to expose people to books they may not have picked up otherwise. In places like train stations and airports, people are probably looking for low-tech ways to keep themselves entertained during long waits. A selection of 15 to 20 popular books can make for a very easy impulse purchase. (Stock your machine with paperbacks, which have a lower price point.)

Book vending machines are also a great way to reward children in schools. Some schools have instituted book vending machines and tokens as a way to acknowledge good behavior or grades. What could be a more wholesome reward than a new book? Even reluctant readers enjoy the opportunity to pick out their own brand-new book—one they’re not required to read. It’s a smart way to get kids interested in reading, since the sheer novelty (and limited choices) of the vending machine makes it seem like more of a reward than going to the library or bookstore. If you work in a school, this is a relatively inexpensive way of encouraging good behavior, participation and academic achievement.

Get your own literary vending machine in Los Angeles, CA

Book vending machines might not be common (yet), but you can get one for your own school or business. Working with a vending machine company like VSI Vending & Coffee Services makes it possible to customize a machine for your needs. All you have to do is tell us what you have in mind, and we’ll work with you to provide a great book vending machine.

For literary and other types of vending machines, call VSI Vending & Coffee Services today.