Vending machines in hospitals have long been used to provide snacks and drinks to friends and family of patients, but as of January 16, young visitors to the emergency room of New Orleans East Hospital will be offered a different kind of sustenance — a book of their choice.
The no-cost book vending machine (children are given a token for a free book) is the first of its kind in a New Orleans hospital and the third in the state to be located in a health care setting — joining the Open Health Care Clinic in Denham Springs, launched in October 2025, and Ochsner LSU Health – St. Mary Medical Center in Shreveport, which opened in February. It is the result of a partnership between New Orleans East Hospital and The Center for Literacy & Learning, a Louisiana-based national nonprofit dedicated to supporting educators and families with reading tools and support. Founded in 1992, the organization has worked with multiple facilities statewide to provide books to children in new ways.
“The idea really grew from our commitment to addressing the whole health of the communities we serve — not just the medical needs that bring families through our doors,” explained Dr. Takeisha Davis, president and CEO of New Orleans East Hospital. “When we learned about The Center for Literacy & Learning’s book vending machine program, we immediately saw an opportunity to do something meaningful for the children and families in New Orleans East.”
Davis said the placing of the machine was strategic.
“The ED is often the primary point of healthcare access for many families in our community, and we see over 4,000 children a year for emergency health needs,” she said. “We wanted to meet families exactly where they are — in a moment of stress and uncertainty — and offer something positive and lasting. A book can bring comfort and calm to a child who may be frightened, and it goes home with them as a reminder that even in a difficult moment, someone cared enough to invest in their future.”
For Davis and the team at New Orleans East Hospital, the installation of the vending machine is the first step in addressing literacy concerns for those that use the hospital as a vital health hub.
“That book goes home,” she said. “It joins a family’s shelf, gets passed to a sibling, or gets read again and again. We know that access to books and frequent reading at home play a pivotal role in a child’s academic success.”
The books that are offered in the vending machine are chosen by the Center for Literacy & Learning to ensure that choices exist for everyone.
“The selection spans a range of reading levels to ensure that every pediatric patient who visits us — from our youngest patients to older children and young teens — can find something meaningful,” said Davis. “We want every child to leave with a book that speaks to them, whether they are just beginning to read or already exploring chapter books. The center handles acquisition and ensures the collection reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the families we serve.”
For Davis, the simple reward of watching families and children using the vending machine has been one of the best aspects of launching the program.
“The response has been incredibly heartwarming,” she said. “To watch a child — who moments earlier was anxious or uncomfortable — light up when they receive a token and walk up to that machine to choose their very own book is something truly special. Parents have expressed deep gratitude, and our clinical staff have shared how much the machine has helped ease tension. It creates a positive shared experience at a time when families need it most. We are still in the early stages, but the enthusiasm from our community has only reinforced our belief that this was exactly the right initiative for New Orleans East Hospital.”
New Orleans East Hospital
5620 Read Blvd.
504-592-6600 // LCMCHealth.org/New-Orleans-East-Hospital
The Center for Literacy & Learning
3400 N. Causeway Blvd., #1240
833-792-1874 // MyCLL.org
