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District proposes 25 book-vending machines to boost literacy; board to consider up to $200,000 purchase

6439110 · October 24, 2025

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Summary

Administrators asked the board to approve purchasing 25 book-vending machines with 50-book replacement sets to foster reading engagement across elementary, middle and high schools, with a not-to-exceed cost of $200,000 and plans to accept public donations of books and tokens.

The Allentown School District presented a literacy-engagement proposal on Oct. 23 asking the board to move forward a purchase of 25 book-vending machines and replacement book sets.

Director Melissa Smith described the initiative as part of the district's literacy priority. Each machine would be stocked with 50 replaceable books chosen by each school to reflect local reading preferences. Students would be able to earn tokens to access books that they could keep, expanding home libraries and creating an on-demand avenue for reading materials.

Smith said the district would not replace library services but intended the vending machines to supplement them and help build a reading culture. The administration estimated a total cost not to exceed $200,000 for 25 machines with replacement book sets and invited community donations of books or tokens. District staff also shared an email contact for donations and community coordination.

The committee moved the proposal to the regular board meeting for approval.

Ending: The item was advanced for final board action; administrators said they would accept donations and work with community partners to incentivize reading.