Some New Jersey elementary school students are finding a new way to make reading fun and engaging, all thanks to a vending machine.

Staff members at Leonardo Elementary School in Middletown Township installed a book vending machine in the school over the summer in a move they said would help foster a love for reading in their students.

Principal Peter Smith said he worked with members of the PTA to bring the vending machine to the school.

“Last spring, a member of the PTA saw an article about a book vending machine in a school in Utah and she showed it our PTA President Sandy Lamb, and from there we worked together to get the funding we needed,” Smith said.

The machine cost $3,800 and was paid for by the PTA, school officials said.

Smith said the teachers at the school are always working to find different ways to make reading interesting and engaging through different strategies in the classroom. He hopes the book vending machine will emphasize the importance of reading outside the classroom.

The vending machine is operated by special gold coins given out to students who are awarded student of the month or have other good behavior in class.

“I view reading like a sport,” Smith said. “In the same way, you cheer students on and want them to be the best.”

The machine is known as “Inchy” and was purchased from Global Vending Group. The company’s website says it can hold up to 20 different kinds of books and up to 200 or 300 books at a time.

The first round of students had their chance to use their gold coins in September, after being selected students of the month and attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“I always try and attend anything that has to do with young people,” said Committeewoman Patricia Snell, who attended the ceremony. “When I heard about the book vending machine I thought it was just an awesome idea.”

Snell describes herself as a lifelong avid reader and has always been a strong advocate for literacy among children.

Although the vending machine has only been in use for a month, other schools in the district have expressed an interest in getting one as well, Smith said.

Olivia Rizzo may be reached at orizzo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LivRizz. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.

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