Scan a barcode, read a book
How to download a digital book at Tbilisi Metro stations
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Passengers of Tbilisi Metro enjoyed an unusual gift at the Station Square junction of the city’s rail network today – a free digital library corner where they can download books to read on their train journey.
The digital library corner was installed at the station, which thousands of people pass through each day. This morning the corner officially opened giving book lovers the opportunity to scan a barcode and download an item to read.
The digital library is the first of its kind in Georgia. It would continue functioning at the central network station for the foreseeable future, said organisers.
About 2,500 books in Georgian and foreign languages could be downloaded to their smart phones and other digital devices for a small cost, while about 500 more could be downloaded for free.
To download users should select which book they want to read then scan the digital QR code using a smart device. To be able to read the books, users must install the SABA Reader application, which can be downloaded at the Google Play and iTunes stores, or www.saba.com.ge.
The digital library corner will function exclusively at Station Square Metro Station while a smaller selection of books can be downloaded from specially marked banners at other Metro stops around the city. Organisers said over time people the campaign would expand to other venues, allowing users to download digital books at food outlets and other public areas.
In addition to books, the digital library allowed users to download Tbilisi library catalogues, allowing them the opportunity to search for their favourite book from outside the library territory.
The Metro Station digital library was a joint project between the Tbilisi City Hall’s Technology Development Fund and SABA Digital Book House. The aim of the novel campaign was to promote the use of modern technology in reading.
The digital library officially opened this morning by SABA director Irina Javakhadze and the House’s Free QR Library project manager Mariam Mekvabishvili.
Thousands of books were collected around the country at special drop-off areas that would be gifted to students in the alpine region as part of the Books for Every Village project.
The Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection has launched the Live Books campaign to promote the reading of books and literature in Georgia’s regions.
Hundreds of places where the public can download free digital books are being established in Georgia’s capital to transform the city into an open-air library for locals and visitors alike.
The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, supported by the National Library, is implementing new digital library platform – www.el.ge.
An onboard library has been set up on the Tbilisi-Batumi double decker train, reports Georgian Railway.