John Harris Elementary Library + Inchy + Literacy

The library at John Harris Elementary in Sioux Falls, SD is now home to a book vending machine named Inchy.

The Argus Leader published an article that highlighted the machine’s tie to literacy at John Harris Elementary. I reached out to teacher-librarian Stefanie Hage with the hopes of gathering more details about this fun addition. Perhaps, you'll be inspired to acquire your own machine or perhaps you'll take away one of the neat embedded ideas that make this a dynamic addition to the library and to school-wide literacy efforts.

Read on to learn more from Hage:

Inchy came to be when a teacher found the idea and our principal, Mrs. Dobberpuhl, shared it with me. From there, several staff members started collaborating to bring this idea to our school. We spent a lot of time developing a plan to share and engage with students and staff. Together, we designed posters, made video clips, and created codes for cracking that gave clues to students. We also worked together to put an initial book order together to fill up Inchy. This development process was a great way to build relationships and work together for a common goal. 

The machine itself was purchased with fundraising dollars. I also wrote and received a Sioux Falls Community Foundation Grant to fund books that go into the machine. These books become students' personal books as they earn them for displaying positive behaviors. In the future, we will rely on donations and PTO support. As a librarian, I use my expertise in resource selection to continually purchase books for the machine that are high interest, vary in genre and text level, and connect to all students in a K-5 setting.

In order to continually engage and build relationships with students, I started the Inchy Support Team that consists of students in 1st-5th grades. The team members take turns maintaining Inchy. They help stock and organize books, clean and prep the machine, cut and hang award certificates, and label books. The team also recommends books and distribute gold coins to staff for students to earn. For me, this time with students is very valuable as it allows me to further build relationships and provides me with insight for curating book orders and building lessons that students will relate to.

To connect the Inchy behavior incentive to our literacy goals, we have Honorary Hurricane Hero Guest Readers. These special guests are Community Heroes that join us in the library as guest readers. I have been having our guests share out Prairie Bud books such as Margaret and the Moon and Charlotte the Scientist is Squished. Guest readers receive a gold coin, make a book selection as a souvenir, and share about their jobs as well as an inspirational message for our students. So far the SFSD superintendent and a local scientist have joined us. Future guests include a police officer and mayor of Sioux Falls.

I have been in awe of how many people have come to the building to see Inchy. Students have lured in family and friends and even community members have stopped in to check out the buzz. Parents have shared in the excitement too. They've sent pictures of their students proudly reading their new book at home using literacy skills that they are developing in the library and the classroom.

The library really is the perfect home for Inchy. It's an open, inclusive hub in our school. I continuously hear students talking to each other about books, authors, series, genres, peer recommendations, etc... One of the biggest joys of having Inchy in our school is that our students are connecting with one another through books and literacy!