August 16, 2026 – The Decatur Rotary Club has installed its second book vending machine at a local school, expanding a program that provides students with free books.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday, Aug. 13, at Sangamon Valley Primary School in Harristown to mark the installation.
The vending machine operates similarly to a traditional vending machine, but instead of purchasing items, students use tokens to select books they can take home. Tokens can be earned through reading milestones, positive behavior and classroom recognition.
The Sangamon Valley installation follows the Rotary Club’s first book vending machine, which was installed at Baum Elementary School last year.
The club says the program is intended to increase students’ access to books and encourage literacy and reading at an early age.
