Vending

Illinois school district to receive Book Nook vending machines

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August 2, 2024

The Mascoutah School District in Mascoutah, Illinois has approved the purchase of five "Book Nook" vending machines to be placed in high-traffic areas within each of the schools, according to a Herald Publications report.

The initiative, costing $35,706, will be funded by a Department of Defense Education Activity literacy grant. The book vending machines will be featured in libraries, atriums and cafeterias throughout the district to provide easy access for students. Students can "purchase" a book from the vending machine with tokens that they earn with good behavior.

"We are so proud of what the DoDEA Grant can do for our students," Jackie Jones, grant project manager for the school district, told the news outlet. "This grant, known as the LIT (Literacy and Teaching) Literacy Grant, focuses on K-12 academic achievement in all areas of literacy, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening."

Jones also told the news outlet the books will be tailored to the age range of each school: children's books will be in the elementary school vending machines while young adult literature will be in the high school vending machines.