I’m all in favour of the technology that has made me a more frequent library user. Online catalogue, check. Online reservation for when I spot a review, check. I would never read half of what I hear about otherwise. And, of course, online renewal – thank goodness, otherwise I’d have been beggared by overdue fines.

Some advertising students in New York have proposed an interesting way to encourage people back to their local libraries. Using NFC technology (that’s near field communications, don’t y’know. Am I bluffing my appearance of knowing what the heck that is, oh good) a commuter can download an excerpt of top title, and once they’ve finished, point them in the direction of their nearest library where they can pick up a copy and continue with the story.  Here’s the little promo video for the concept.

The Underground Library from Keri Tan on Vimeo.

This is just an idea so far, but perhaps Boris will take note for the on-going tube revamp…?

Lesley Crooks, Sales & Digital Manager