Books & Beyond: Book Vending Machines in Allegheny County

The Allegheny County Library Association launched its first book vending machine at the Allegheny County Jail in June. The initiative strives to provide all kids with access to books, including those that might be in a tough situation. Since then, the organization has added book vending machines in other locations that might be difficult or challenging spaces for a child or teen, including Allegheny County Family Court, Jeremiah’s Place and The Children’s Home. 

Any child or teen visiting that visits these spaces receives a token to choose a free book from the book vending machine. The book selection includes a variety of classics (Goodnight Moon, Because of Winn-Dixie), formats (picture books, graphic novels, chapter books) and titles where the child or teen might see themselves reflected in the main character as noted in more detail below. 

  • Allegheny County Jail: This book vending machine features three titles with an incarcerated parent, a title in Spanish and did have autographed editions of Wicked Marigold by local author, Caroline Carlson.  
  • Allegheny County Family Courts: This book vending machine features titles with characters experiencing foster care, adoption, and divorce, while also highlighting the diversity of families.  
  • Children’s Home of Pittsburgh: This book vending machine features titles with characters in foster care or medical challenges, as well as books that prompt the reader to experience the story in other ways, such as touch, high contrast or sound. 
  • Jeremiah’s Place: This book vending machine is board books and picture books since the primary audience is 5 and under. 

The hope is that these books are a bright spot for children in what might be an unknown time. 

This month’s segment of Books & Beyond on Pittsburgh Today Live with Heather Abraham and David Highfield will highlight an update on the book vending machines with representatives from the Allegheny County Library Association, Allegheny County Jail and Jeremiah’s Place. To watch the full segment, click here. The book for this month’s segment is A Book of Maps for You, a picture book written and told from a child’s perspective to the child moving into their old house. Check ACLA Youth Services on Facebook for a parent tip sheet regarding this book. 

Learn more about book vending machines by following ACLA Youth Services on Facebook.