Gifting someone a book is one of the simplest acts that can go a long way. Everyone, almost without exception, carries words they’ve read with them throughout their life, and this primary school programme rolled out across 18 schools in Greenwich hopes to provide and enhance those journies for as many pupils as possible.
And what better way to make kids excited than to fill a vending machine up with colourful books and sit it in the school for them to line up and pick out their own book to dispense for them to read? Sure – they look good on a shelf too, but the art of the machine that hands it to them is – just like with the candy droppers – even more likely to lure youngsters over for the added novelty alongside the literature.
At Fossdene Primary School in Greenwich, children will be rewarded with tokens to use the vending machine for positive actsshowing that reading is something to be excited about and cherished from an early age. This is the first of four vending machines to be unveiled across England, but there are plans to install more across the UK
Speaking on the new vending machine, Joanne Bradley, Fossdene Primary School’s Deputy Headteacher said: “Our recent library installation has enthused many of our children to discover the world of stories and information.
“Reading for pleasure is a priority for Fossdene and the book vending machine will support with this, with children able to earn a token for showing positive behaviour, an act of kindness or when they have achieved a learning goal. It will send a strong message that reading is valued and celebrated within our school community – a visual reminder of the importance of reading as a regular habit.”
It’s part of the Chase School Libraries programme which, in conjunction with the National Literacy Trust and supported by Penguin Books, has been rolled out across 18 primary schools in Greenwich to benefit over 7,600 pupils. This has included improving the libraries at the schools and the donation of over 7,000 books to the schools, as well as training 36 teachers with guidance on how they can inspire reading among young children.
The new book vending machine stands tall at Fossdene Primary School, with The Chase school libraries programme now rolled out at 18 primary schools (and over 7,600 pupils) across Greenwich.
