Photo by Heather Beaumont

Library Books & Vending Machines

The Toronto Public Library’s plan to loan books through a vending machine, at Union subway station, begins a new chapter in the city’s library service.

More than a quarter million people flow through Union Station each day. It’s one of the busiest subway stations in the Toronto transit system.

Digital technology makes it easy for the library’s 1.3 million cardholders to bypass their local library and download books for work, school or recreation.

Fortunately, library administrators are invested in remaining relevant. They know it’s important to make books available wherever their customers happen to be.

As a kid, I was introduced to the Toronto Public Library with a visit to a bookmobile. Over the years, the research and lending service has evolved into a community hub with educational events and programming. The library is constantly innovating and businesses and entrepreneurs need to be doing the same.

Today’s consumer is time-pressed. And loyalty is on short supply. Ask yourself, how can you offer  a product or service to your target audience in a way that makes it more convenient for them. Meet customers where they are and they’ll take notice.