Library Lending Expands with Vending (Machines)
The Altadena Library District has expanded its outreach and increased Altadenans access to physical materials thanks to the addition of two new AutoLend library vending machines, one located at Prime Pizza in Altadena and one temporarily staged just outside the Main Library (until the library can find a permanent home for it on the westside of Altadena).
The vending machines serve as community outreach kiosks that allow library cardholders to browse, hold, pick up, and return materials anytime. Even those who sign up for a digital library card can immediately check out an item.
We encourage our cardholders to stop by to grab a slice of some tasty pizza AND check something out. And if you aren’t already a cardholder, sign up for a digital card which allows you to check out 1 item.
“It’s an innovative use of traditional technology that allows us to be out in the community 24/7,” says District Director Nikki Winslow. “That frees up staff members to support other outreach opportunities and provide valuable library programs.”
To celebrate the launch and build local awareness, the library invited local media, community leaders, and elected officials to a ribbon-cutting ceremony and machine demonstration at the Prime Pizza location on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023.
Thank you to Prime Pizza owner Zak Fishman for letting us stage the event, and special thanks to everyone who attended, including Field Representative Ann Marie Hickambottom from Assemblymember Chris Holden’s office, Trustee Terry Andrues, Trustee Kameelah Wilkerson, and Altadena Town Council members Nic Arnzen, Veronica Jones, and Doug Colliflower, as well as members of the Altadena Library Foundation!
Like digital resources, library vending machines are another way to provide access to library materials 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The purchase was possible thanks to a budget bill Assemblymember Chris Holden authored that passed in 2021, securing $250,000 for the library district. The vending machines were purchased from International Library Services (ILS).
The Altadena Library District also has a mobile unit, the Curiosity Connection, and will be adding a second mobile unit later this year. The vending machines and mobile units are part of a multi-phase plan to ensure continuity of library services to the residents of Altadena during future building closures.
