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Librarians play a crucial role in nurturing a love of reading among students. Finding innovative solutions for schools is key to this mission. For example, at Noonan Elementary in Alice, Texas, librarian Pamela Gonzalez has successfully boosted reading engagement by installing a book vending machine on campus.
Why Librarians Choose a Book Vending Machine?
Why choose a Book Vending Machine if your school already has a library? Both are important for students.
- The library offers free books to borrow, teaching responsibility and a love for reading.
- A book vending machine gives students a free book to keep when they show good behavior or achieve goals. This encourages positive actions and helps build home libraries.
Together, the library and vending machine support students in different ways, promoting reading and responsibility.
This isn't your ordinary vending machine. How each school uses it will be unique to them. Inchy's Bookworm Vending Machine dispenses books instead of snacks, making it an excellent tool for reinforcing positive behaviors.
- Earn: Teachers reward students academic and behavioral achievements with a special gold token.
- Reward: Students select a book from the machine. There's no cost. And the book is theirs to keep, building a home library.
- Read: This system makes reading rewarding. It also fosters intrinsic motivation, creating positive relationship with reading.
Gonzalez highlights, "It’s a great way to encourage students to open a book and see what it’s all about."
Student Excitement
The $6,000 book vending machine, funded through school book fairs, has quickly become a favorite among students.
- Second grader Cianna Zamora expressed her enthusiasm, saying, "I like it because I can test on them and read them. And I can keep them and read them every day."
- Fifth grader Lorenzo Shearin, an avid reader, was thrilled, remarking, "It looks pretty cool. I like the way you get rewarded for doing good deeds."
Catching On Across the Country
Harrison Elementary School in Janesville, Wisconsin, has also embraced this innovative solution by adding a book vending machine to their library. Inspired by a similar initiative, Reading Specialist Megan Schultz said, "I knew we had to get one for Harrison. It’s a great way to get kids excited about reading and owning books."
“We have filled the machine with K-5 interest levels, different genres and types of characters (and) all the types of books that kids are interested in right now. We’re going to try to keep it very relevant to what they like right now. Obviously, that will change throughout the years; we’ll keep in mind what books kids are checking out from the library and books are popular,” Schultz said.
In the first year, every student got a special gold coin to choose a book. After that, the goal is for each student to earn at least two coins each school year, allowing them to pick two books.
Schultz said she wants to make sure all kids books at home.
“This is to help support their personal libraries. They can keep these books forever. They’re free for them. (They can) build their libraries up,” Schultz said.
Librarians Use Book Vending Machines in Canada Too!
In Regina, Canada, Inchy's Bookworm Vending Machine serves as a substitute school library. Chief Payepot School closed its library because of increased student enrollment. They needed the space for additional classrooms.
“When we did have a library it played a big role, we had a lot of programming that came out of there. I think this is a new, exciting way to really promote literacy and love of reading,” Principal Nicole Crowe added.
Principal Crowe is proud. The vending machine will focus on indigenous authors, allowing students to see a reflection of themselves.
Indigenous author Heather O’Watch was on hand and had this to say;
“I know the community, but specifically the school, doesn’t necessarily have accessibility to books. It’s a very special moment for the partners but also for the community,”
O’Watch’s story “Auntie’s Rez Surprise,” was the first vended from Chief Payepot’s machine.
Building Lifelong Readers
The impact of these machines goes beyond just excitement. All three educators, Gonzalez, Schultz, Crowe recognize the long-term benefits of providing students with free and equal access to a wide range of books.
As Gonzalez emphasizes, "Reading is the foundation for the kids to have a bright future." Schultz adds, "This helps support their personal libraries. They can keep these books forever and build up their libraries at home."
Bring a Book Vending Machine to Your School
If you’re a librarian looking to boost reading engagement and motivation, a book vending machine could be the perfect addition to your school. Success stories like these prove that Inchy's Bookworm Vending Machine offers an innovative way to make reading fun. It nurtures a love of literacy and reinforces positive behaviors.
Interested in bringing a book vending machine to your school? Inchy's Bookworm Vending Machine from BookVending.com is the ideal choice. Contact us today to learn more!
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