Anonymous donor gifts JCPS elementary school with book vending machine

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- An anonymous donor gifted Atkinson Elementary School with a vending machine filled with books.

The machine is stocked with dozens of options, catering to a wide range of interests and reading levels.

"We are excited to promote that reading is something fun to do, and that it can be just as rewarding as a tasty snack from a vending machine," Sarah Cowley, with Jefferson County Public Schools' Library Media Services, said. "Instead, you're getting a book and we are excited about the opportunity for students getting to come and select a book to add to their home libraries."

Students can get a free book by earning golden tokens. Teachers will give students tokens for good grades and attendance, acts of kindness, birthdays, accomplishments, or exceptional reading efforts.

"Anytime we can provide more access to books for our Jefferson County Public Schools, is a win for us," said Cowley.

Unlike checking out a book from the library, these books are theirs to keep. They can take them home and share them with their siblings.

"It's exciting to me because I like reading a lot. I just like reading a lot to make my reading stronger every day, to make sure I can read when I get older," Rza Weaver, a JCPS first grader, said.

Atkinson Elementary School librarian Stacie Alvey also took Amirah Reese, Kassidy Brooks, Bentley Waters, and Heli Mamba to get a new book Friday afternoon.

"I want to read a lot, so I can get better at reading," Mamba said.

Chancey, Engelhard and Hazelwood Elementary schools are also getting a book machine. Each vending machine costs about $5,000 each.

JCPS Library Media Services will restock the machines one time, then the schools will be responsible for purchasing the books to place in the machine. The cost will be $2,500 to $3,000 a year.

JCPS plans on installing more vending machines in more schools each year.