Vending

Improved reading scores follow book vending

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September 1, 2026

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Ridgeway Elementary School in Hamilton, Ohio, has added a book vending machine that allows students to earn free books as rewards for positive behavior and academic accomplishments, according to a Spectrum News report. The installation means students at every elementary school in the Hamilton City School District now have access to a book vending machine.

Students receive special coins for accomplishments such as completing homework on time and helping classmates or teachers. They can insert the coins into the vending machine and select a book to take home at no cost. The district has used a similar machine at Bridgeport Elementary School for four years as part of an effort to make reading more appealing and give children greater access to books.

District reading performance has improved during the period in which the machines have been used, although the report does not establish that the vending machines caused the improvement. Since 2022, the percentage of third graders earning proficient scores on the reading portion of a state test has increased by 5 percentage points. Ridgeway teacher Christina Dennin-Mapes said providing students with access to books can help foster an interest in reading, while parents praised the program for giving children books without adding to families' expenses.