LEXINGTON, Ky. — An elementary school in Lexington is encouraging children to read by installing a book vending machine. 

The students can collect tokens for good behavior and redeem them for a free book of their choosing. They receive tokens for various reasons, such as academic achievements, citizenships and for doing the right thing.

Students have a variety of reading levels and different genres to choose from when browsing the book vending machine.

A vending machine for books is an excitement Jennifer Sangabriel Carmona said will help many of her fellow students. 

“This is a way for children, since this is a vending machine, you won’t need to pay for anything. You’ll just be able to earn it and more kids are going to be able to read more books,” Sangabriel Carmona said.

Free opportunities that Michael Jones, the principal of Mary Todd Elementary, said will create new experiences for children to explore inside these books.

“It just emphasizes the importance of reading. And it makes reading fun. So we know that sometimes kids are reluctant to read, but this incentivises it, it gives them a reason to want to read,” Jones said.

The idea came after their Library Media Specialist Lindsey Patrick wanted to find ways to put books in her students’ hands.

“They still have opportunities to own their own book and when they’re able to take ownership of their reading and their learning, it’s really powerful,” Patrick said.

It’s a fun way to encourage students to excel in the classroom, while creating a new way of learning.

The school plans to refill the books throughout the month. They’re working to find new releases and opportunities for children to have access to more books.