Vending

Massachusetts school swaps snacks for stories with book vending machine

Photo: Annay Dunphy

December 17, 2025

A Massachusetts elementary school is turning to automated retail to boost literacy, swapping traditional snack dispensing for a machine stocked entirely with reading material.

Oak Ridge School unveiled its Book Nook vending machine in the cafeteria on Nov. 20, allowing students to select and keep books using a token-based reward system. The installation highlights a growing trend of utilizing vending technology for educational engagement rather than food service, according to the Sandwich News,

Created with rewards points

Driven by the Sandwich Elementary PTA in partnership with Scholastic, the hardware and its initial inventory of 500 books were acquired without direct capital expenditure. Melody Way, co-president of the Sandwich Elementary PTA, told Sandwich News that the association used accumulated reward points earned through Scholastic Book Fairs and monthly flyer sales to fund the machine.

Way said the association is committed to the long-term sustainability of the project and will continue to use accrued points to replenish the machine's stock for future students.

Gamifying literacy

The decision to use a vending machine was strategic, leveraging the equipment's novelty to appeal to the student demographic.

"Vending machines are very trendy for preteens," Way said in the original report. She compared the allure of the machine to arcade games, noting that the bright colors and mechanical interaction generate excitement around the act of choosing a book.

Token economy and merchandising

The machine operates on a distinct currency: golden tokens. Rather than purchasing items with cash, students earn tokens by demonstrating behavioral values.

Assistant Principal Anna Dunphy said the criteria for earning a token align with the school's "7Cs" framework: creativity, community, character building, curiosity, collaboration, critical thinking and communication. Tokens are also awarded for "upstander" behavior, which rewards students who intervene to support peers in social situations.

The inventory is merchandised to cater to a wide demographic. Dunphy and an English language arts coach curated the selection to ensure a mix of genres and reading levels, stocking approximately five copies of each title.

Expansion plans

The concept has reportedly been an immediate success, with 32 tokens redeemed shortly after installation. The PTA is collaborating with the administration at nearby Forestdale School to handle the logistics and delivery of a second book vending unit.