This spring and summer, riders at twenty bus stops and busways will be able to access free digital content provided by the Boston Public Library through a pilot program called “Browse, Borrow, Board.”
Riders can browse digital audiobooks, eBooks, newspapers, and newspapers and magazines by following the QR code (found on large sidewalk decals) while waiting for their bus to arrive before borrowing and enjoying their reading materials on the go.
The library has been working with the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics (MONUM) and the MBTA on “Browse, Borrow, Board.”
Questions? Please email ask@bpl.org
FAQs
-
The BPL’s primary goal with this pilot program is to reach riders who may not already be familiar with the Library’s offerings. Library cards are not required to use this service.
-
Decals are expected to remain on sidewalks and busways through August 2023. The decals could also be removed when they have worn down to be unreadable or are no longer skid proof.
-
- Scan the QR code and register for a temporary account with an email and password of your choosing. You must register through the QR code.
- An account will be created instantly that will let you borrow up to 5 eBooks or audiobooks at a time, and unlimited magazines and newspapers.
- Items which are checked out can be returned, which will allow for another checkout in the 14-day period.
- An email will be sent to you welcoming you to the service, providing a link to visit the site to continue reading, and the email/password of your choosing.
- All items will be borrowed for 14 days.
- With the link provided in the email, you can visit the site to continue to read or listen in the browser — no app needed.
- Each account will be valid for 14 days. After 14 days you can re-scan the QR code to re-register/access again. There is no limit on the number of times you can register after the 14-day period.
-
For a full list of digital pop-up library locations, visit this ePop Up Libraries Decal Locations map.
-
- Curated lists of eBooks and eAudiobooks selected by staff
- Newspapers and Magazines is the same content that is currently available to patrons through PressReader
- Popular titles available through PressReader include, The Boston Globe, The Economist, New York Post, Daily Mail, Sin Chew Daily, World Journal, El País, The Guardian, Newsweek, South China Morning Post, New York Magazine. Clicking on a title will take you to the PressReader site where you can continue to read and discover content. You will not need to log in again or provide a library card.
- Items that are checked out to you will appear at the top of the home page and under “checkouts” on the expandable top left menu for continued reading and listening after the initial registration.
- You cannot place items on hold; items which are not available (due to being checked out) should be hidden on the site until they are returned. Titles selected for this service are not listed in the catalog.
-
If you are a returning user, please check if there is a saved password for the site on your phone from a different registration attempt.
If you continue having trouble, please email ask@bpl.org
-
If you are a returning patron, you may login and see the “log into your library” screen if you are not following the QR codes. The “Library card ID” is email you registered with and the PIN is the password you chose upon registering.
-
The eBooks and eAudiobooks on the ePop up site are not linked to or affiliated with our Overdrive or Hoopla eBook collections; the content is different. If you checked out a book on the ePop up site, do not be confused if you do not find it (or find a long queue) on the Overdrive or Hoopla sites.
