I’m a sucker for feelgood stories about folks who are promoting literacy programs for children in their communities, but when you add book vending machines with free books for kids I’m sold.

Ymani Wince isn’t just the owner of a local bookstore; she’s a community leader with a major soft spot for books, kids, and breaking down barriers. Her shop, The Noir Bookshop, sits on Cherokee Street in St. Louis, and it’s exactly the kind of cozy, inclusive place you might find yourself lingering in for longer than you planned. It’s not just a bookstore; it’s a hub for education, artistry, and a celebration of Black literature and culture.

Enter ONYX, a free book vending machine aimed at putting books directly into the hands of kids. And the best part? They don’t pay money; they pay with curiosity, tokens, and excitement.

Here’s how it works: community centers, clubs, and other local spaces house these vending stations. Kids get a special token from the staff or center, and boom: they choose a book they want. It’s as simple as that: token goes in, book comes out. No money changing hands, just pure opportunity.

In St. Louis, Black students are more than twice as likely to struggle with grade-level reading proficiency compared with white students. That’s the kind of statistic that makes people stop and think. So having initiatives like ONYX isn’t just nice, it’s necessary. The vending  machine isn’t a gimmick; it’s a practical, innovative response to a real, measurable need.