BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Riders become readers beginning May 2019 when Broward County Library becomes the first in the world to launch Pop Up Libraries on buses. A pilot project “on wheels” will allow Broward County Transit riders access to hundreds of free eBooks instantly with no library card and no special app required.
The “Read While You Ride” initiative kicks off with Pop Up Libraries on seven Broward County Transit buses. It is a partnership between the library, Broward County Transit and Baker & Taylor, one of the largest book, services and technology providers to public libraries.
Users of Broward County Pop Up Library sites can instantly download a free eBook of choice to a smartphone or other device. An array of hot titles are available for a two-week, free checkout period with no waiting. Pop Up Library customers can simply connect to the Pop Up Library's mobile hotspot, select a book title and download it to a phone or smart device. No app is necessary - the eBook is ready to read.
"We're always looking for new ways to overcome barriers to library service and make our resources available to everyone in the community," says Broward County Libraries Director Kelvin Watson, stating an objective shared by Aman Kochar, EVP of Public Library Sales and Technology at Baker & Taylor. Notes Kochar, “When we developed Pop Up Library, our goal was to create a simple, easy-to-use tool that would help our library partners reach readers in their community, wherever they are.”
The seven new mobile Pop Up Libraries are the latest additions to the existing stationary Pop Up Library locations, bringing the current total to 16 sites at which to enjoy the unique free service. Broward County Pop Up Libraries can also be found in the following locations:
-Chrysalis Center, 1061 W Oakland Park Blvd, Oakland Park, FL 33309
-Edgar P. Mills Health Center, 900 NW 31st Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
-Florida Department of Health, 780 SW 24th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
-Fort Lauderdale Stars Gymnastics, 730 N Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
-Memorial Behavioral Outpatient Health Center, 3400 N 29th Avenue, Hollywood, FL 33020
-Memorial Regional Hospital, 2nd Floor Surgical Waiting Room, 3501 Johnson Street, Hollywood, FL 33302
-Paul Hughes Health Center, 205 NW 6th Ave, Pompano Beach, FL 33060
Pompano Beach City Hall, 100 W Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach, FL 33060
-Seagull Alternative High School, 425 SW 28th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
About Broward County Libraries Division
Broward County Libraries Division, named 2015 Library of the Year by the Florida Library Association, was founded in 1974 and is the largest library system in Florida by square footage and one of the busiest, with more than 7.5 million walk-in customers visiting its 38 locations annually. Broward County Libraries Division provides convenient access to a full range of innovative and cost-effective services that satisfy the changing needs of the people of Broward County for information, education and recreation. Visit our website, Broward.org/Library, or follow Libraries on Facebook and Twitter
DATE: April 11, 2019
MEDIA CONTACT: Catherine McElrath
Libraries Division
PHONE: 954-357-7402
EMAIL: cmcelrath@Broward.org