Noah Johnson Daily Press Four students at Webster Kindergarten Center were all smiles as they got a chance to test out the new book vending machine. The students decided to pick “How to Catch a Class Pet.”

ESCANABA — A local school recently got a new vending machine, but instead of pop and candy, it’s filled with books.

Webster Kindergarten Center in Escanaba now has a book vending machine, encouraging reading in a fun and distinctive way.

The idea for the machine sparked when teachers Lisa Gagnon and Jessi Nelson saw book vending machines in other elementary schools in Wisconsin and lower Mich.

“They brought the idea of purchasing one for our building to me two years ago, and we decided to make it an initiative for Webster,” Webster Principal Krista Johnson said.

The purchase was fully funded in November, and Webster received the machine just over a week ago.

It was a community effort to purchase the machine, as local groups and individuals chipping in to make the book vending machine a reality.

“We reached out to local service groups (such as) GFWC, Wells’ Lions Club, and Kiwanis of Escanaba, who graciously donated to our project. Lisa Gagnon also created a project on the Donors Choose platform where current and former students and their families kindly made donations. Finally, we approached the Dr. David Dewar Pay it Foward Foundation, who generously funded the remainder of the project,” Johnson said.

Not only did the donors help purchase the machine, but they also helped stock it with various picture books and early readers.

The machine is an Inchy’s Bookworm vending machine. According to the Inchy website, there are over 10,000 actively participating locations, nearly 13 million books are vended yearly, and over five million students benefit yearly.

Johnson said the machine aligns with the philosophy of “Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective Kids,” a philosophy the Escanaba Area Schools embraced a few years ago.

“At our level, we introduce the vocabulary and model the habits for our students. We felt that the book vending machine could be a great tool to reward students exhibiting leadership qualities, but also put books in the hands of kids and ultimately add to their bookshelves at home,” Johnson explained.

The students at Webster will get a chance to use the machine for the first time this week.

The machine doesn’t take quarters, but rather special Inchy coins.

“Our students, families, and staff were excited for the arrival of the machine, and we are excited to begin using it,” she said.

Johnson explained how students can earn tokens by completing academic achievements, showing kindness, exhibiting positive behaviors, and more.

“The idea is that students may earn tokens for exhibiting kindness and positive behaviors, achieving milestones and achievements, and maintaining excellent attendance,” Johnson said.

After earning a token, the student inserts into the machine and selects a book of their choosing. Not only do the students get a book, they also get to keep it and take it home. Johnson said it’s an excellent way for the students to build up an at-home library.

“The book vending machine ensures that children who may not have the means to purchase books can enjoy reading,” she said.

Other schools in the area caught wind of Webster’s new resource and are now exploring the possibility of getting their very own book vending machine.

Johnson wanted to recognize community members who donated and supported the purchase, saying it would not have been possible without their support.

“We are grateful for the generosity of our community, whose financial support makes it possible for us to bring meaningful projects to life in our schools,” she said.