Abstract: In a system for the automatic programmed handling of coded safety deposit boxes and other objects having book receiving members and stored in a storage room having rows of shelves, the improvement which comprises stacking means movable along said shelves for the removal and insertion of said boxes, gripping means movably mounted on said stacking means for movement in the vertical direction and on the horizontal plane for removal and insertion of said boxes, said gripping means including hook means for communication with said hook receiving means of said boxes for transporting said boxes, programming means cooperating with said stacking means and said gripping means for automatically directing said stacking means and said gripping means to desired box by way of a predetermined program, said programming means including control means for keying-in the desired box and initiating box hand-out and hand-in positions, and at least one issuing and receiving opening disposed adjoiningly in the wall of said storage room