The Hyattsville public library has a new kiosk that dispenses famous short stories and poems for free.

Designed by French publisher Short Édition, the small kiosk prints out a story on a narrow strip of paper that resembles a receipt, but is thicker.

Visitors to the Hyattsville library can choose from one-, three-, or five-minute reads. The selections include famous poems and short stories in the public domain as well as works from Short Édition’s own catalog, and the authors receive royalties for their pieces.

The selection includes some 13 million works by 6,800 authors — broad enough that visitors are unlikely ever to receive the same story twice.

Over 300 kiosks have been installed worldwide in libraries, museums, airports, and train stations. In the D.C. area, you can find them at the Planet Word museum and the Alexandria public library.

The kiosks require a one-time cost of a few thousand dollars, in addition to an annual subscription fee for the published works.

You can find the Hyattsville library kiosk at the main entrance near the check-out and return desk.

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