Vending

Massachusetts elementary school installs book vending machine

Photo: Adobe Stock

June 17, 2024

Spaulding Memorial School in Townsend, Massachusetts, has debuted a book vending machine to encourage reading among students in grades K-4, according to a Sentinel & Enterprise report. The initiative was spearheaded by the school council, led by Jennifer Pisani, Jeanne McCutcheon and several others.

"One of our goals is to foster a love for literacy and reading at Spaulding," Principal Kate Guziejka told the news outlet. "The vending machine will be a new and interactive way for students to access books and develop a lifelong curiosity."

The machine dispenses classic books across various reading levels, including favorites like "Where the Wild Things Are" and "Diary of a Wimpy Kid." Students earn tokens for the machine by being recognized by their teachers for positive behavior.

The school council raised funds over two years to purchase the vending machine from Bookworm Vending Machine. The school also received a donation of E.B. White novels from Lindsay Morand, the author's great-niece.