> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.protein.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Biblio-Mat
- URL: https://www.protein.xyz/biblio-mat/
- Published: 2012-11-28T14:25:32.000Z
- Updated: 2025-05-28T11:01:54.000Z
- Description: Second-hand books get a new lease of life with this vintage book dispenser.
- Author: Protein
- Tags: Seeds, Art & Design, #protein, #Import 2024-06-11 13:15, #author-change-2025-05-28

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/S3/protein/3665/c0d90a7f-a374-4ab6-a9af-58e3f912bc89.jpeg)

Second-hand book lovers are all too familiar with the bargain bins. Toronto-based antiquarian bookshop ‘The Monkey’s Paw’ wanted to improve this experience and commissioned effects whizz Craig Smalls to design a vending machine full of random titles. When two dollars are fed into it, leavers, pulleys and a telephone bell are set into motion, dispensing a vintage book from its wide collection.

Despite the rise of the digital e-reader, the process of hunting for old books has a certain sense of nostalgia attached to it; much like the [Nendo/Starbucks](http://prote.in/feed/2012/10/espresso-journey?ref=protein.xyz) project that takes inspiration from an old-fashioned library.

Like [Not Another Bill](http://prote.in/feed/2012/06/not-another-bill?ref=protein.xyz) and [Svbscription](http://prote.in/feed/2012/06/svbscription?ref=protein.xyz), it's interesting to see another project that engages the user by adding a powerful element of surprise. Check out the video above for more info.