LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Students at Hazelwood Elementary School in Louisville are lining up for the vending machine. But they aren’t receiving snacks or a bottle of soda. Instead, they are now the owners of a new book.

“When I’m like upset or like when I’m not in the best mood, I calm down when I read books,” said third-grader Jamilla Ishinwe. 

In Jefferson County Public Schools, 71% of economically disadvantaged elementary school students performed below proficient in reading. Only 38% of non-economically advantaged students performed below proficient according to the 2022-2023 Kentucky School Report Card. 

“We are trying to grow lifelong learners. And so we are trying to do that by building a love of reading,” Hazelwood Elementary Librarian Kyle Brewer said. 

An anonymous donor gifted “The Book Nook” to the school, which cost about $5,000 each. The district will restock the books once and after that, the school will be responsible for filling the machine. Refill costs are estimated between $2,500 and $3,000 a year. 

“It’s really important for the self-confidence of our students to have something new that’s theirs. And so we want to always make sure that we’re providing that opportunity for our students as well,” Brewer said.

The vending machines offer books from various genres and reading level. The school is also working to offer books in other languages. 

 “It feels like if you actually know how to read,” third-grader Dilieny Michle Fernandez Vera said. 

The school is implementing a program to encourage reading and building your own library. Students can get rewarded for good work or good behavior with a special token, and the token can be used for a new book.

In addition to Hazelwood, Book Nooks are also at Atkinson, Chancey and Engelhard elementary schools. The district plans to add more Book Nooks to schools each year.