Vending

Indiana elementary school promotes literacy with book vending machine

Photo: Adobe Stock

June 6, 2024

J.B. Stephens Elementary School in Greenfield, Indiana, is fostering a love of reading with innovative initiatives. The school has unveiled a book vending machine that dispenses books as a reward for positive behavior, according to a Greenfield Daily Reporter report.

The book vending machine was funded through a successful school fundraiser that garnered support from both the Greenfield community and friends and family from across the country. The machine itself is stocked with a variety of age-appropriate books, including picture books, chapter books and nonfiction titles.

J.B. Stephens Elementary School also hosted a "Community Read Aloud Day" earlier this spring. The event featured guest readers from across Hancock County, including firefighters, school administrators, healthcare professionals and soccer club leaders.

"The book vending machine and Community Read Aloud Day are both great examples of the positive culture and love of literacy at J.B. Stephens Elementary School," Devon Marine, director of elementary education for Greenfield-Central Schools, told the news outlet. "Being able to put books in the hands of students in this manner helps ignite the joy of reading."