The city of Alhambra has taken a unique step in providing easy access to literary works of all genres, at any time of the day, by installing a 24/7 vending machine in one of their most popular parks.
City officials on Monday unveiled the new machine, which is equipped with more than 200 books for checkout at Emery Park, located in the 2700 block of Mimosa Street.
City of Alhambra
The books are available in a wide range of languages and are suitable for all ages, with genres ranging from educational textbooks to novels that you can read at your leisure.
“This is a wonderful step forward to ensure our community has access to educational and recreational resources, regardless of their schedules,” Alhambra Councilmember Adele Andrade-Stadler said in a statement. “By offering these 24/7 services at Emery Park, we are helping families connect, learn and grow together.”
The library vending kiosk, which was funded through the 2022-23 California State Budget and championed by Assemblyman Mike Fong, also features a number of lockers that can securely store books and other requested items for easy retrieval when needed is.
“With a diverse collection of books in multiple languages and for all ages, the Vending Library ensures everyone can find something to enjoy,” the city’s statement said. “Whether you’re looking for children’s stories, young adult fiction or novels in your preferred language, our Vending Library has it all.”
In addition, the city also introduced a separate vending machine they are calling “A Locker of Things,” which provides easy access to family-friendly games like UNO and Candy Land.
