Automated library kiosk

A self-service kiosk comprising:

• (a) a portable multi-walled enclosure surrounding a plurality of shelves and including a port communicating with the exterior of said enclosure, wherein said shelves support a plurality of drawers, and wherein at least one of said plurality of drawers includes a lip and a bottom that circumscribes an inventory storage space;
• (b) data entry means responsive to a plurality of user identification codes for interactively selecting items of inventory stored in said drawers upon receipt of one of said plurality of codes and data defining each selected inventory item;
• (c) drawer coupling means having a hook for coupling said hook to said lip;
• (d) inventory transfer means including a support platform for supporting each of said drawers and manipulating each selected drawer between said shelves and said port, wherein said support platform comprises first and second sections that are laterally displaced from one another, wherein said first and second sections each include a plurality of stepped surfaces of successively increasing height, wherein said stepped surfaces of said first and second sections are aligned to define a plurality of planar parallel levels at said stepped surfaces, wherein said drawer coupling means and inventory transfer means are coupled to first and second endless driven linkages that convey said platform along a plurality of horizontal drive tracks and vertical columns;
• and
• (e) controller means responsive to said data entry means for conveying said drawer coupling means and inventory transfer means to selected ones of said drawers for axially withdrawing selected ones of said plurality of drawers from said shelves onto a selected one of said plurality of levels at said support platform and for conveying said support platform and extracted tray to said port to deliver a stored inventory item or accept the return of an inventoried item.