Today was an exciting day for readers at Glencliff Elementary School. The school unveiled its first Inchy Bookworm book vending machine, which works like a snack machine. 
Student Kimberly Garcia Sanchez was given the honor of demonstrating virtually to fellow students and teachers how the machine works, dropping in a special coin she had earned and then collecting her book, “Happy Pig Day,” after it dropped from its rack to the bottom of the machine.
Glencliff Media Specialist Robin VanWinkle selected Kimberly because the fourth-grader has logged more than 800 reading minutes in Glencliff’s Beanstack reading tracking system, making her the top reader in the school and the first student to select a book.
“I’m so happy that I have read so many minutes,” Garcia Sanchez said.
The vending machine encourages reading while also reinforcing positive behavior. Students can either log a minimum of 800 reading minutes or earn a total of 75 Dojo points to receive a coin for the book machine. Students are then able to take the books home to create their own personal libraries.
This is the third book vending machine in MNPS, with two others located at Whitsitt Elementary and Fall-Hamilton Elementary; other machines are forthcoming.
“We are excited to be at the top of the trajectory of how kids are going to enjoy reading,” said Glencliff Executive Principal Julie Hopkins. “Our librarian, Ms. VanWinkle, had an idea to get the machine and I absolutely supported the idea, and now here we are.”
The vending machine was funded through the school’s federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) grant, and over 900 books have been donated for the machine by LP PENCIL Box and the Kiwanis Club. Books are available to students in both English and Spanish.