Reading is a fundamental skill that is paramount to a successful, well-functioning society. And if you can make the actual act of reading a fun and engaging occasion, then you are on the right track to creating widespread literacy in the world!
The Leadership Bulloch 2020 Class understood this sentiment completely; so much so, that they set up Book Bot machines around Statesboro to encourage frequent reading in the hopes of improving overall public literacy. The Bots are made out of old newspaper dispenser machines, fashioned to look like robots.
There are two active Book Bot machines currently in town. One of them is in front of the Visit Statesboro center on South Main Street (to the left of the front door entrance when you walk up), and the other one is located on the back side of the Honey Bowen Building (drive underneath the circular drive-through and you’ll see it nestled in between the two side pillars).
Each machine is unlocked; you just unhook the lever at the top of the Bot, and it will open the Bot-body to reveal the current reserves available to be taken to read.
The premise of the Bot is that if you take a book, you bring a book with you to replace back into the Bot. That way, the Bot is never empty (not necessarily the same book, but a different book—any book). Furthermore, the Book Bot is completely free and open 24/7, which makes it a literacy resource that is not only whimsical, intriguing, and fun, but also accessible to everyone--which is a plus!
Good reads for all
Now back in 2020, the Leadership Bulloch class initially launched this project with the intention of focusing on the improvement of childhood literacy. But over time, each Book Bot has come to naturally start recycling titles aimed towards a particular age group/audience.
Namely, the visitor's center Book Bot contained more children’s book titles and content, while the Honey Bowen Building Book Bot contained more adult books. Now of course, you can put either sort of book into either Book Bot, as there are no rules. But if you’re looking to save some time on which one to go to, there’s a helpful tip for you!
Some current titles we noticed in the Visit Statesboro Book Bot were The Velveteen Rabbit, I Love You Because You’re You, Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs: The Best Gift, and Journeys Common Core Reader’s Notebook. Some current titles we noticed in the Honey Bowen Building Book Bot were I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Divergent, Wide Montana Skies, and Wide Awake.
More information on the Bots
The Leadership Bulloch 2020 Class has an archived Facebook page if you’d like to see some of the work and activities that took place during the Book Bot project inception back at the start of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
But if you have further questions on the overall Book Bot process, you may drop by the Visit Statesboro Center on South Main Street to get more information on the Book Bot machines and project.
Here’s to indulging in more leisure reading and sharing the magic of books around our local community!
