The Drexel University in Philadelphia has installed vending machines that contain iPads which can be rented by students through the use of their library cards.
The program was launched to boost the students' literacy through digital learning, 9to5Mac reported.
The concept behind the iPad vending machines was a partnership between the university and the Free Library of Philadelphia. Located in kiosks inside the university, each vending machine contains 12 Apple tablets. Students can then borrow these iPads by simply swiping their Free Library of Philadelphia cards or school IDs in the machine's slot.
Residents in nearby town can also use the iPads as long as they have library cards.
The tablets can be used for a maximum of four hours and contains various pre-installed apps and other digital tools selected by university officials and librarians of the Free Library.
To ensure the online safety of users, all personal information stored in the tablets will be automatically erased once the devices are returned to the vending machines.
The iPad vending machines is Drexler's latest program that involves lending Apple devices to students. In 2013, the university launched a similar rental program that involves providing students 24-hour access to MacBooks
According to Danuta Nitecki, the dean of Drexel Libraries, the partnership with the Free Library of Philadelphia for the program is all about enhancing the education of students as well as residents through digital means.
"Based on the success of the laptop lending kiosk in our library, self-service technology has proven to serve as an easy, attractive option for access to items we know our library users want," Nitecki said in a statement according to the Drexel News Blog.
"We are exploring more opportunities to share technology via kiosks as well as new options for enriching the learning spaces where our Drexel community engages with information," the administrator added. "It has been exciting to work with colleagues at the Free Library to think how tools might help out neighborhoods gain access to self-help training and practice discovery of information sources."
