Vending machines typically don’t offer anything healthy to eat, with most offering a wide range of sugary drinks and snacks. They are handy for grabbing a quick snack whilst on the move, but their ability to provide something fast and easy to eat has inspired an entirely different type of vending machine – one that offers a selection of carefully curated books!
Natives of Singapore can now enjoy a variety of books that have been available in two select vending machines placed in the Nation Museum of Singapore and the Singapore Visitor Centre. BooksActually are behind the idea, with the local independent bookstore aiming to provide a selection of books to the citizens of a city that has a surprising lack of bookstores.
There is as many as 150 books to choose from between the two vending machines and there are plans to install a third at some point in the near future. Each book was specifically chosen and there was a particular emphasis on works by local writers and authors.
Kenny Leck, the owner of BooksActually, discusses the reasoning behind the idea.
“The whole idea is about accessibility and eyeballs,” he explains. “These vending machines could be a visual touchpoint. You may not buy (a book) but we’ll let you know these exist. And from there, there could be more possibilities.” The enrichment also acts as unconventional marketing for the company.
