Residents in two areas of Gadsden can now check out library books without leaving their neighborhood thanks to two new vending machines from the Gadsden Public Library.
The machines, known as LibCabinets, are installed at the Carver Community Center (1030 Tuscaloosa Ave.) and the East Gadsden Community Center (921 Wilson Ave.).
“This innovative library vending machine brings books and movies directly into the community, effectively creating a new branch of the library,” said Gadsden Public Library Director Craig Scott.
The process is simple: a patron scans their library card, opens the door of the machine, selects a book and closes the door. The machine does a quick inventory and prints a receipt so the patron knows when the book is due.
Books can be returned to either cabinet or to the main library branch downtown. Additionally, books checked out from the main branch can be returned to either cabinet.
The machines include books for adults, teens and children, as well as movies.
“We’re excited about these,” said Mayor Craig Ford. “Libraries are changing and evolving. You’ve got to reach the new generation in a different way, and reading makes a difference.”
“It’s good to see Gadsden on the cutting edge,” he said.
Gadsden is the second city in Alabama to implement this technology after Scott brought the idea to Mayor Ford, who encouraged him to pursue it and helped fund the project.
At a ribbon cutting Thursday, Scott thanked the mayor for his enthusiastic support.
He also thanked Jacob Blackwood, the library’s IT manager, who has worked tirelessly to get the machines set up, Carver Community Center manager Katie Ragan, East Gadsden Community Center manager Carla Wilson, the Etowah Chamber and Gadsden City Schools.
“I want to give a heartfelt thank you to our entire library staff for selecting, ordering and cataloging the great books and movies now stocked in the LibCabinets, and for all your hard work in organizing today’s event,” Scott said.
There are also early plans to expand the project in the future.
“Our goal is to continue to put these out in the community,” Ford said. “We love our library and our library staff, and we want to thank them for all the work they do.”
