BooksActually, has recently launched Singapore’s first book vending machines. In an effort to help promote local writers in Singapore, an independent bookstore has unveiled two book vending machines at the National Museum of Singapore (NMS) and at the Singapore Visitor Center.
These vending machines were installed with a grant from Spring Singapore and each vending machine can store about 120 to 150 books. The inspiration behind this innovative idea was the Penguincubator, which was created by Penguin Books’ founder Allen Lane in 1937, said Ms Renee Ting, 24, manager at BooksActually.
The vending machine located at the National Museum of Singapore carries a wide variety of books for all ages – from the Sherlock Sam children’s book series to local poet Joshua Ip’s Sonnets from the Singlish (2012), which was awarded the Singapore Literature Prize in 2014. Prices range from $10 to $22.
Furthermore, the vending machine at the Singapore Visitor Centre at Orchard also includes DVDs, such as the documentary Singapore GaGa by film-maker Tan Pin Pin. Patrons will also be able to get their hands on CDs by local artists, such as Charlie Lim and Aspidistrafly. Prices range from S$20 to S$28.
Currently, the machines accept only S$2, S$5 and S$10 notes, but cashless payment may be introduced in the future.
Each vending machine will stay at the current three locations for around three months. After which, they will be relocated to other locations around Singapore. “We are currently targeting places and institutions that support the arts in Singapore,” said Ms Ting.
The vending machines cost SGD$9,900 each and were set up through a grant from SPRING Singapore. The goal of the vending machines is to get provide accessibility and increase recognition of books written in Singapore.
