Free e-books available at airport, other St. Louis locations through new library program

The St. Louis County Library describes its new offering as an ePop Up Library, the first such program in the Midwest. The service doesn’t require a library card, so travelers from any state can take advantage of free reading material through a seven-day loan.

Users will need an internet connection on their phone or tablet. They then scan a QR code to survey hundreds (and eventually thousands) of titles. Once the book is downloaded, it can be read or listened to offline.

ePop Up Library will be available at MetroLink locations, St. Louis County government offices, Schnucks stores and throughout St. Louis Lambert International Airport.

The county library’s director says the program helps “remove barriers to reading and increase access to e-books and audiobooks for the community.” In a press release, Kristen Sorth, library director and CEO, said also: “Books offer us a place for discovery and a sense of community and belonging. They are a haven filled with adventure and comfort and are a place where we can better understand the complexities of life.”

“This program provides travelers with another element to make their trip enjoyable,” says St. Louis Lambert International Airport Director and CEO Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge.

Sorth is scheduled to announce the program Thursday morning at the airport. Expected to accompany her was St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page, Hamm-Niebruegge, Charles Stewart, chief operating officer of Metro Transit, and Schron Jackson, Schnucks director of community engagement and customer care.

The ePop Up library will start with more than 480 titles. The collection will grow to about 2,000 by mid-July, the library release said. Included will be bestselling fiction and nonfiction for adults, along with some titles for young adults.

Money to pay for the ePop Up Library comes from a $2 million gift from Robert G. Clark and family for educational programming. The library is spending $100,000 on the new program plus an annual $9,000 fee.

The Clarks also gave money for the new library branch in Ladue, which opens July 9.

The ePop Up Library joins other county library community-focused programs, including social workers in some branches, free Narcan, summer lunches, book delivery to homebound seniors and more.