The Prompt

"Break barriers, and unleash potential!"

The Problem

A lack of book accessibility for low-income families and individuals in the United States.

Solution Preview

Research

Libraries

We began by researching the problem space. I looked at Libraries and the problems they face to help point us towards impactful solutions.

Existing Solution (Little Free Library)

You've probably driven past these without realizing or even have one in your own neighborhood but these are Litte Free Libraries, and that's exactly what they are.

Looking at forums and articles on these little guys quickly told us everything wrong with them (currently). The biggest is that these don't exist in lower-income communities, and because they rely on donations, they lack a real variety of quality books that wider audiences are looking for.

How Might We? Question

Our Solution

LBRE Kiosks are basically vending machines for books, that relies on automated inventory tracking to inform consistent stocking and variety of books.

It was important for us to design a solution that would be accessible to people without phones, so we used the same system most libraries use: a library card.

After signing in you can browse books at your kiosk, or you can browse other kiosks that are nearby. Once you've chosen your book you can just check it out.

With no late fees, you can finish your book and return it with this slot. Using an NFC sticker in the book, the kiosk detects you have returned a book, signs you in, and offers you another.

Logistics

LBRE partners with Amazon and other book retailers to get books, we then use our distribution center and network to deliver and pick up books from kiosks across cities. LBRE also partners with government, and schools, to facilitate strategic placement by bus stops, elementary schools, and parks, allowing us to bring books directly to the customer.

Inventory

Book returns are marked using NFC tags, allowing our vending machine's stock to be recorded and adjusted accordingly with a healthy rotation of books.

Locations

It's important for us to bring books to the people, not the other way around. The map below is a map highlighting the range and distribution of public libraries in Atlanta. We are targeting communities in the "in-between" areas, specifically placing vending machines at bus stops, parks, and schools to improve accessibility.

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