Marin County is celebrating the installation of its first library vending machine that will serve as a satellite site for residents who aren’t close to a library.
The machine can hold up to 200 books and other materials and was installed at the Kruger Pines housing complex on North Knoll Road, in the unincorporated area of Strawberry, last month, according to a news release from the county.
The vending machine is meant to serve as a mini branch of the free library system for residents at the affordable housing complex who are older adults and people with disabilities.
The project is a partnership between the Marin County Free Library, the Marin Housing Authority, and the Marin County Department of Information Services and Technology.
Residents can scan a library card at the machine and choose their book or other item.
Materials will be rotated on a weekly basis based on feedback from residents, according to the county.
Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters, who represents the area on the County Board of Supervisors, said the county was trying to make a range of services more accessible for residents.
“It’s bringing library and information services, but my belief is that this kind of bringing services to where the people are is exactly what the county needs to be doing, whether it’s library books, social services, or food and health support,” Moulton-Peters said in a statement.
The library vending machine will be evaluated for possible expansion to other locations.