I made this shot during my visit to the Frankfurt Book Fair this year, but somehow it must have gotten lost deep down in the mess I call my hard disk.

What do you think about the idea of renting paper books fully automated through a machine? It's kinda similar to the idea of using in-store kiosks to sell e-books (as they plan to do (http://www.teleread.org/blog/?p=7634) in Australia). Just, well, it's more physical I guess. :rolleyes:

Where's the photo?

That's nothing new. I know a public library that had automated checkout at least 10 years ago.

Oops... pic was too large and I didn't see the error message :rolleyes5

What formats does this machine allow one to rent?

What formats does this machine allow one to rent?

Hmmm I think paperback format... 110mm x 178mm (4.33" x 7.01") ;)

I'm confused here! Is it a library attendant replacement, like banks have replaced tellers?

I am not sure... Nate is right, automated checkouts have been already in place in libraries for a long time. But I think this machine is slightly different (or why would it have been in the technology section at this year's Book Fair). It's seems to be more meant to completely replace a library; something like those DVD vending machines we can see already on the street nowadays.

I did some surfing and found this website which looks like it's from the producer of this machine:

http://www.magex.org/products/en_index.html
http://www.magex.org/magexEnglish/videodispenser.html
http://www.magex.org/press/pdf/gdv_gen07.pdf (PDF, Italian)

They had those at an aiport I went to when I visited America (I think it was the London airport). That would have been summer 2006.

I bought one just for the novelty really (seeing as i already had three books in my carry on). The prices were reasonable for an airport machine and I can imagine they'd do very well at train/bus/airports etc.

They had those at an aiport I went to when I visited America (I think it was the London airport). That would have been summer 2006.

I bought one just for the novelty really (seeing as i already had three books in my carry on). The prices were reasonable for an airport machine and I can imagine they'd do very well at train/bus/airports etc.What is it? A paper book dispenser?

Yes exactly that. I think they were all retail price and mostly the latest bestsellers in paper back from what I remember. A good mix of children / adult / young teen.