Vending

Mississippi school intros book vending machine

Photo: Adobe Stock

January 27, 2026

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Carver Elementary School in Meridian, Miss., has introduced a new Book Nook vending machine that allows students to earn free books by reading outside of class. The machine was unveiled in partnership with First Mississippi Federal Credit Union as part of a broader effort to encourage literacy among elementary students.

Students earn tokens through the program by completing Accelerated Reader assignments either at home or at school, rewarding their reading progress with a book of their choice.

The school has been emphasizing the Accelerated Reader program to improve reading readiness for the next grade level, according to a Meridian Star report. The machine is stocked with books across multiple reading levels, including Spanish-language titles to support Carver's Spanish-speaking students.

The Book Nook at Carver Elementary is part of a larger literacy initiative by First Mississippi Federal Credit Union. A similar machine was installed earlier at Poplar Springs Elementary School, and the credit union has also partnered with another local school district to expand the program. Credit union officials say the initiative is designed to spark greater interest in reading among young students and support literacy development across the community.