ST. LOUIS — Those traveling by plane or by Metro Transit now have access to reading and listen material on the go for free thanks to a new service launched by St. Louis County Library (SLCL).

What You Need To Know

  • With the scan of a QR code, ePop Up Library provides users with access to thousands of popular digital books and audiobooks

  • No library card is required, and materials are accessible for seven days

  • The service is available at St. Louis International Lamber Airport, MetroLink locations, St. Louis County government offices and Schnucks stores

  • Users will need an internet connection to browse the collection, which has bestselling fiction and nonfiction titles along with some young adult titles. Items can then be downloaded for reading or listening offline

With the scan of a QR code, ePop Up Library provides users with access to thousands of popular digital books and audiobooks, according to SLCL.

No library card is required, and materials are accessible for seven days.

The service is available at St. Louis International Lamber Airport, MetroLink locations, St. Louis County government offices and Schnucks stores.

“We are thrilled to partner with four impactful organizations in our region to remove barriers to reading and increase access to eBooks and audiobooks for the community,” said Kristen Sorth, St. Louis County Library director and CEO.

“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.”

The ePop Up collection has more than 480 titles so far with new titles to be added each week.

Users will need an internet connection to browse the collection, which has bestselling fiction and nonfiction titles along with some young adult titles. Items can then be downloaded for reading or listening offline. 

The collection will grow to feature 2,000 titles by mid-July, according to SLCL. 

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

“Who doesn’t enjoy reading, but often we forget to take something with us when we are about to fly. We are so excited to be teaming up with the St. Louis County Library to offer a person the opportunity to download a selection onto their smartphone or tablet while in the airport.”

The use of eMedia has soared over the past several years, according to SLCL, with more than 3.3 million items borrowed in 2023.

“We are excited to partner with St. Louis County Library on the ePop Up Library program. It is a perfect fit for Metro Transit and our customers,” said Charles Stewart, chief operating officer of Metro Transit at Bi-State Development.

“One of the many benefits of riding MetroLink or MetroBus is that you don’t have to sit behind the wheel in traffic. You get some time back for yourself, and with this new program, it’s never been easier to spend that time enjoying a good book while you ride.”

Officials say SLCL is the only library system in the Midwest to offer this program.

“We are proud to partner with the St. Louis County Library who, like Schnucks, has been an area institution for decades,” Schnucks Director of Community Engagement and Customer Care Schron Jackson said.

“Our mission to nourish people’s lives not only means providing the food and sustenance that our customers need but also includes making it easy for them to expand their horizons by listening to an audiobook after they shop.” 

Sponsorship for ePop Up Library is provided by the Clark Family.