GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — An unusual type of vending machine is popping up in more places on Grand Rapids Community College’s campus.

GRCC announced Wednesday it has added laptop vending machines to its Main Building and the Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC. The GRCC Foundation funded the additional equipment.

Using a $35,000 grant, GRCC installed its first laptop vending machine in the Student Community Center’s counseling area last year as part of a pilot program. The school says more than 500 students checked out laptops for free, logging about 660 hours of use.

To check one out, students must swipe their college ID card and enter their password. The machine then snaps a picture of them, and out pops a laptop.

Students use cloud-based programs to share and store work. Once the laptop is inserted back into the machine, information left on it is wiped clean and the computer’s battery starts to recharge.

GRCC officials say supplier Laptops Anytime told them their college is the only one in the state offering laptops through vending machines. However, several other schools have shown interest.

The three machines on campus hold a total of 24 laptops; the one in the Main Building holds a dozen computers, and the others can dispense six laptops each.

GRCC President Bill Pink says the machines ensure all students have access to a resource they need.