Book lending machines back in service after hiatus

Library book lending machines in Contra Costa County that were out of order for about a year are back in service, according to the Contra Costa County Library.

The machines known as Library-a-Go-Gos are in service at the Sandy Cove Shopping Center in Discovery Bay, the El Cerrito del Norte BART station in El Cerrito and the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART station.

Holders of a Contra Costa County library card can access more than 300 books from each.

The machines have bestsellers, nonfiction and the Discovery Bay machine has children’s books.

Cardholders can access the machines 24 hours a day at the El Cerrito del Norte BART station and Sandy Cove Shopping Center and during BART hours at the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART station.

Library officials said the books in the machines are not in the library’s catalog and cannot be reserved.

But some books are new releases that are on long waiting lists at the library.

County librarian Jessica Hudson said in a statement:

“Book vending machines can offer an alternative option to the use of a traditional library; they can be used when the regular library is closed for a quick stop to grab a good read.”

The machines were out of order while the library obtained parts and service from a company in Italy.