JetBlue Brings Free Book Vending Machines To Southeast Queens

JAMAICA, QUEENS — JetBlue is bringing free book vending machines in Queens to provide kids in underserved communities with greater access to age-appropriate books.

The vending machines will be located in Queens Public Library's main branch in Jamaica and Ocean Bay Community Cornerstone in Arverne.

Selections will include kids' books in English and Spanish that feature diverse characters and some books for adults; parents who set an example by reading in front of kids can improve their educational outcomes, according to a JetBlue press release.

Book titles will be restocked every two weeks.

"I encourage children and their families to take as many books as they want, as often as they want, throughout the summer – no strings attached – in the hopes that offering free access to books in a fun and convenient way will spark a lifelong love of reading," Congressman Gregory Meeks said in a statement.

The Queens vending machines are part of a collection of six placed citywide as part of the airline's Soar with Reading literacy initiative, which has donated more than $3.5 million worth of books to kids in need.

"We can’t deny the need right in our own backyard," Icema Gibbs, JetBlue's director of corporate social responsibility, said.