With insufficient funds to build a full service, stand alone library, or even a mixed use facility like we are doing in other parts of the city to replace aged, worn out facilities, this vending library allows us to improve access to the library’s collections in an underserved area of the city. The closest branch library for this neighborhood is approximately two miles and at least two bus routes away. The area was formerly served by a Bookmobile, but that was discontinued in 2005. Only three other cities in the country have this machine, all with much warmer climates (Fresno and San Diego, California and Purcell, Oklahoma) which led to a challenge for the company to make sure it worked throughout cold, snowy Wisconsin winters.

Special concrete pad and bus shelter constructed to hold the machine. Coordinated shipment from China; US Customs clearance; cross country transport; and temporary street closure for installation. Additional components included: maintenance agreement; remote monitoring; troubleshooting and system testing; delivery service and restocking schedule. MPL Express is a collaboration between City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County Transit System and Greater Milwaukee Foundation. Library staff attended Westlawn Gardens resident meetings and Silver Spring Neighborhood Center staff meetings to promote the service and gather input from prospective patrons. On site library card registration was also available at several of these meetings.

In five months (October 2014 through February 2015) 1,414 items have been checked out and 516 patrons have used the machine. Staff were on site during October to introduce the service and help patrons use it. Patrons we met on site expressed thanks and appreciation for providing service and access in this way. Wisconsin winter weather has impacted use. Staff will again be on site this spring to reintroduce the service and gather feedback from patrons. Some materials do not fit into the machine’s slots. For example – book club kits; puppets; small light weight paperbacks and oversized books. Patrons placing holds on these types of materials are contacted by phone and given the option to pick up these materials at another library location.