Hong Kong rolls out library vending machines at train stations
6 December 2017 Books+Publishing @booksandpublishing
In Hong Kong, vending machines stocked with up to 300 library books each are being installed at train stations, reports the South China Morning Post.
Books in the machine can be borrowed by scanning a library card or Hong Kong ID card. The first has opened at Sai Wan Ho in the east of Hong Kong Island, with two more to open in 2018.
The three stations were estimated to cost HK$7.8m (A$1.3m) to build and HK$4.8m (A$800,000) each year to operate.
The installation of vending machines aims to stem the effect of ebooks on Hong Kong public libraries. The number of visits declined by 10 per cent to 37.8 million from 2011 to 2015.
Category: International news Library news International
