News_

Book vending machines dispense mind food to students

12 October 2015

The University of Sydney will roll out some of the first book vending machines in Australia as part of a novel new initiative to modernise its libraries.

Time-poor students at the University's Library spaces at Camden and in the Bosch building can 'snack' on a selection of high-rotation titles from the library's collections starting this October.

The vending machines are the first of their kind in New South Wales, with only a handful of similar appliances entering the Australian market in recent years.

Not only will the new Holds and Loans (HAL) service give students easy access to high-demand books stored in the vending machines, it will also open up valuable learning spaces within library facilities, said Matthew Davis, Associate Director Site Services University of Sydney Library.

"Feedback from students has consistently shown that learning spaces are at a premium on campus. The changes are really about providing valuable resources to students where and when they need them," Mr Davis said.

"When we analysed data for Camden Library, for example, we found that students primarily used the space to study and access technology, with print collections used relatively infrequently. 

Now that the overwhelming majority of information resources are delivered digitally, we're able to develop spaces for students to think, connect and collaborate while still accessing the books they need.
Matthew Davis

As part of the HAL service, users can swipe their student ID cards to access a selection of titles that are tagged with a radio frequency identification device within the vending machine. The custom-built Quantum 'LibCabinet' appliance also features a mounted CCTV camera unit for both security and remote access to service updates to machines.

The University of Sydney will also be installing a secure Bibliotecha 'SmartLocker' system in the library space at Camden. Similar to Australia Post's parcel lockers, this new system allows students to order any resources they need from other University libraries and collect them from the secure lockers at their convenience. The vending machines are being implemented following a successful four-month trial in the Camden Library earlier this year.  

The vending machine service forms part of a broader transformation of the University of Sydney's libraries, which include refurbishments to The Quarter in the Badham building, the introduction of peer learning advisers, extended opening hours and plans to shift to a 24/7 service model by 2016.

"We're thrilled to be modernising our resources to deliver the best outcomes for our students," said Belinda Norman, Associate Director, Community and Administration University of Sydney Library.

"The vending machines are a significant step forward in moving from an organisational model structured around print, to one that more accurately reflects the digital delivery driving most student interactions with their library."

Related articles

27 August 2015

Athletes score for disability and donors

Wheelchair basketball athletes from the NSW Institute of Sport and Wheelchair Sports NSW showed their support for the Pave the Way campaign this week.    

30 November 2015

$100,000 Writer in Residence Fellowship to combat obesity

Expressions of interest have opened for a $100,000 Writer in Residence Fellowship to join the fight against obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

09 November 2015

Thousands of dollars in scholarships still available for 2016

If you’re studying at Sydney next year there are numerous scholarships still open for new and current students across many study areas including engineering, the sciences, education, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, medicine, social work, engineering, and business.

23 November 2015

Sharing the real stories of people with disability

She doesn't like being called 'an inspiration', but it's hard not to be impressed by the determination of Jo Ragen who has been nominated as a finalist in the 2015 National Disability Awards.

14 September 2015

Panel set to stir raw milk debate

A panel of experts will weigh the risks against the potential rewards of non-pasteurised milk at a free Sydney Environment Institute event, 'Risky Milk, Risky Cheese', at the University of Sydney this Wednesday.

14 September 2015

Major gift to child health research

Generous $5 million gift to fast-track child health research and oversee an Australian-first study of 10,000 couples and their children.

15 September 2015

Sydney Nursing School researchers honoured

Associate Professor Kate Curtis awarded Nurse of the Year in Research and Innovation 

11 December 2015

Partnership a win for students and Aboriginal families

Health students from the University of Sydney are spending their December break working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and getting hands-on with cross-cultural understanding.

10 December 2015

Research links strengthened between India and Sydney

The University of Sydney signed a landmark research agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras).

16 December 2015

Policy change set to save kids' lives

Defibrillators to be available in all NSW schools thanks to Professor Chris Semsarian's campaign.