Louisiana clinic adds book vending machine to boost literacy

DENHAM SPRINGS, La. (Louisiana First) —  A trip to the doctor is turning into storytime thanks to a new statewide literacy initiative.

The Center for Literacy & Learning, through the Louisiana Statewide Family Engagement Center, unveiled its book vending machine inside the Open Health Care Clinic in Denham Springs. The program aims to make books more accessible to children by blending literacy with healthcare.

“When pediatric patients see one of our providers, they get a little token and come up here to insert their token into the machine and get a book to take home,” said Tim Young, President and CEO of Open Health Care Clinic. “Books can be a luxury, so we think this will help get books into those homes.”

Children receive a token during each well-child checkup, which can be redeemed for a new, age-appropriate book from the vending machine. The idea is to make reading part of everyday routines, starting right in the waiting room.

Dr. John Wyble, CEO of The Center for Literacy & Learning, says the initiative is about meeting families where they are.

“In Louisiana, we have to recognize that for generations we’ve had poor education outcomes, a struggling economy, and a lack of living wages,” Wyble said. “We want to meet families and parents where they are, and right here in the waiting room of clinics like this one is an important place for us.”

The program is part of a broader mission to turn routine appointments into opportunities for learning and to help families build home libraries. Leaders say this is only the beginning, with plans to install more book vending machines in healthcare centers across Louisiana.