We’ve all been to our fair share of ribbon-cutting ceremonies, right? The mayor, a big pair of scissors, and a shiny new store or office space. But have you ever heard of a ribbon-cutting for a vending machine? Well, hold onto your bookshelves, because it happened at the Brunswick Library in Georgia.
The Unveiling of the Book Vending Machine at Brunswick Library
Last Tuesday was no ordinary day in Brunswick, Georgia. It was the day when dreams of seeing a vending machine filled with books came true. The Marshes of Glynn Libraries and the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce welcomed this reading innovation.
To make this day extra special, they threw a Halloween-themed storytime for the kids! Picture this: tiny pirates, lovely princesses, and even a dancing avocado. These little readers were in for a treat, and it wasn’t just candy!
A New Way to Get Your Hands on Books
So, what’s the deal with this book vending machine, you ask? Geri Mullis, the director of Marshes of Glynn Libraries, explained it all. “Of course we are still trying to get kids to keep reading,” Mullis said. “We get them reading to get more books.” The Brunswick library now boasts Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine. The machine offers a new way to get kids hands on books. These aren’t just any books either. These are the treasures for children participating in the library’s reading challenges.
Tokens of Joy
The books in this vending machine were generously donated by the Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy. And here’s the best part – kids who dive into the library’s reading challenges, like the “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” program and the Summer Reading program, will receive tokens that unlock the vending machine’s secrets. Yep, they get to pick a book for free! It’s like winning the bookish lottery.
Celebrating Our Brunswick Library
Ralph Staffins, the Captain Hook (err, President and CEO) of the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce, was there to congratulate Geri and her crew for their hard work. He also reminded everyone that they were standing in this year’s “Georgia Public Library of the Year.” That’s right! The Marshes of Glynn Libraries scored this prestigious award to honor their two locations in Brunswick and St. Simons.
Ralph got a bit nostalgic too, reminiscing about how his kids grew up in these libraries. “Thanks for making our community a great place to live,” he said, and we couldn’t agree more!
So, next time you’re in Brunswick and craving a good read, don’t forget to swing by the enchanted book vending machine at the library. Who knows, you might bump into a princess, a pirate, or even an avocado on your quest for the perfect story!