Like all vending machines, this model is designed to feed an appetite.
But in this instance, it’s not candy or soft drinks to lessen a child’s munchies. It’s words to broaden their mind.
Students at Edison Elementary School welcomed a new interactive device to their campus before Spring Break, one that campus adults are certain will increase the circulation of books among their young charges.
Principal Jenny Langston knows it for a fact because students had been stopping by her office for days, asking if they could put some money in the new vending machine and get something. That something: a brand new book.
Langston and her staff put their new book vending machine into action the Friday before break, allowing some students to exchange their SOAR tickets (rewards for good behavior and works) for tokens to plug into the machine.
“That’s cool,” said fourth-grader Zaiden Portillo, as he selected his first book, a Spiderman graphic novel.
Langston said Edison used its $10,000 Legacy grant from the Lawton Public School Foundation to buy the book vending machine, along with books to stock it. Those books are arranged in five tiers to reflect the school’s five grade levels – easiest reading on bottom; advanced books on top. The books are fitted into specially-designed slots so they are displayed to their best advantage, with each slot holding multiple copies of the same book (there isn’t just one bag of candy in a machine, is there?)
Langston said she decided how to spend the grant with input from teachers, as staff debated the best use of the Foundation’s donation.
“Some of the things they wanted were not feasible,” she said, adding the book vending machine was something she had been pondering because it is a great way to get books into the hands of children.
“It will be theirs,” Langston said, adding she likes the idea of sending books home with children who may not have any of their own.
For Langston and her staff, the machine also gives them a novel way to reward students for good behavior. Tokens for the machine can be earned through SOAR tickets, paper proof that a student has done something worthy of recognition.
Langston said the machine arrived the week before Spring Break began, and she had it set up outside her office, waiting for its official dedication ceremony. With a smile, she admits she finally tented off the machine to dampen student interest (it didn’t work, her staff said, explaining the machine and its contents still drew constant attention).
Edison library media specialist Tiffany Embry said she listened to students admiring the machine all week, noting it is just outside her library door.
“They were so excited,” she said.
With days of gossip among classmates, students at the SOAR awards ceremony knew exactly what they were getting and couldn’t wait to make their selections.
“Spiderman,” said Portillo, of the graphic novel he had been eying all week and that several of his classmates also coveted. “I like the movie and I like Marvels.”
Lila Wiseman, a kindergarten student, was pleased with her selection of “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.”
“Because it’s Disney,” she said, hugging the book. “I like Disney.”
“I wanted to try a new book,” said Nova Williams, third grade, as she smiled over her acquisition. “Because I like it.”
Teacher Kaitlyn Watts said she loves the concept, especially for students who are struggling with reading.
“It gives them a tangible idea and it’s theirs,” Watts said, adding she knows the machine will impact students because she has seen evidence in her former school district. “I’m just so grateful the Foundation donated the money for Edison and the schools saw the value of a book vending machine.”
Embry said the plan is to keep a mix of books in the machine, with something to appeal to every grade level: picture books, easier readers, graphic novels.
“A variety to appeal to all students,” she said.
While the machine came stocked with books and the school has a little bit of grant money left to buy more, Langston said there will be a time when the school will need more book money.
“We need to do research,” she said of future buys, adding it is important to her to keep the machine stocked. “Some kids don’t own a book."