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Boston bus stops gain free digital libraries

Words by Tess Becker

To encourage Boston residents to read, city authorities have announced that some bus stops will soon double as mini digital libraries. 

As part of the pilot program, people waiting at 20 different stops can scan a QR code and browse or borrow audiobooks, eBooks, e-newspapers, and e-magazines for all ages.

Library cards aren’t required and you don’t need to download an app to access the books via the program which runs until August. 

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said the initiative “builds on our efforts to make public transportation more enjoyable, while also connecting our residents to the resources the Boston Public Library already offers.”

Reading materials will be primarily in English and Spanish, prioritising those which are easy to read while traveling, such as short stories, poetry, and short audiobooks, as well as a selection of bestsellers and titles for children and teens. They will also include newspaper and magazine content spanning 7,000 titles from over 125 countries.

Charity check-in

At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.

American Civil Liberties Union. This is one of the largest civil liberty defense organizations in the US. Find out more and support them here

Human Rights Campaign. This is one of the largest equality-focused organizations in the US. Find out more
The Trevor Project. They focus on suicide prevention and mental health support for queer youth. Support them here.

This article aligns with the UN SDG Partners of the Goals.

This article aligns with the following UN SDGs

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