Book Swap Vending Machines

  In March 2023, the first Read. Swap. Repeat. machine was launched at the Corn Exchange in Manchester City Centre. The initiative was created to highlight the sustainability of keeping pre-loved books in circulation and allowing all readers access to books in times of austerity. 

"Books are a uniquely portable magic" Stephen King 

Historically, vending machines have become synonymous with sweet treats, crisps, drinks and other snack options but over the years we’ve seen alternative options pop up like DVD’s, Socks and even false eyelashes! 

Elsewhere in the world you can vend much stranger items like Live Crabs (China), Lobsters (America), Cheese (Switzerland) and even…. Lettuce???? (Japan). We aren’t going too crazy here at Read Swap Repeat, but we are really excited to introduce a vending machine which vends….Free books! 

The Read Swap Repeat vending machines themselves are repurposed for the initiative and can be supplied to you empty or with a stock of books. This will then give you the opportunity to invite people to come along with an old book, grab a token for the machine and… Read Swap Repeat.

“A word after a word after a word is power." Margaret Atwood

 The initiative not only helps to reduce the environmental impact of book production and reduce the amount of books entering traditional waste streams, but also fosters a sense of community and placemaking.

 The positive rewards of the Read Swap Repeat initiative is that the machine will then stock itself and keep some much loved books in circulation. Meaning you won’t find rows and rows of the same  book in the machine, instead a stock of ‘pre-loved’ books of all genres so every visit, your users will find something  different!

 "Books and doors are the same thing. You open them, and you go through into another world." Jeanette Winterson 

The machine will come with a supply of tokens that users can use to choose their next book, or keep to use on a return visit. And if they don't like their choice? They can simply swap it again.

   This will not only give them an opportunity to try a book they would never think of to buy or read but also give you an insight into the types of books that people using your machine enjoy! 

"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” C.S. Lewis 

Read Swap Repeat is not only a great idea for community spaces but also for your business or education facility to allow your staff and students access to reading.