TOWAMENCIN- The future is now. Starting this month, North Penn High School’s library is saying goodbye to their paperbacks and hardcovers and welcoming the arrival of brand new Kindles to replace  all of the books on their shelves. Not only is this an extremely eco-friendly alternative, but it will no doubt keep students engaged and immersed into what they are reading by having them read off of what they normally do, a screen.

“This is a huge step forward for North Penn,” said North Penn High School librarian Mr. Joseph Ramsey. “We are transforming the IMC into a more modern environment and I am sure the students will really enjoy and appreciate this change.”

The new Kindles, which will all be brand new Kindle Touches, will have a huge selection of books on them and are free for any student to check out and use.

“These Kindles will have a wide variety of reading material on them and if they choose to do so, a student can request to have a book of their choice, as long as it’s school appropriate, purchased onto one of the Kindles,” says librarian Mrs. Stormy Vogel. “I am more than excited for these new devices to replace our books. I think this is a change for the better,” she concludes with a smile as she swipes her finger across a Kindle screen.

These new tiny machines, which can just fit into the palm of your hand, are not indestructible. The fee for a damaged Kindle, whether it be water damage or the shattering of a screen, costs $300 to repair. If the student who damages the Kindle does not pay the required amount, they will be withheld from graduating until the obligation is cleared.

The new Kindles will begin arriving on April 31st and until then, the library will start to start to donate their books to local charities and other schools.

“I really think the Kindles will get students to start reading again. I’m very excited to see what our library will accomplish in the future,” shared Ramsey.