Bus riders at the downtown transit center are now able to check out books, movies and digital resources such as e-books and audiobooks as part of a collaboration between the Akron-Summit County Public Library and METRO RTA.
The Library On the Go program, housed in a blue vending machine-style locker inside the facility at 631 S. Broadway St., was made possible by $62,535 in federal funding distributed by the State Library of Ohio’s American Rescue Plan Act 2021 Outreach Grant.
Pam Hickson-Stevenson, the library’s executive director, said at a press conference held Tuesday to unveil the program that she and her administration learned that folks who “use public transit generally have quite a bit less discretionary time in their days than folks who have their own transportation.”
Riders have embraced the lockers, she said, since they opened Dec. 1.
“We’ve already got people using it; people checking it out,” said Dawn Distler, METRO RTA’s chief executive officer. “I haven’t heard any issues or any bad things about it at all, which is always a good thing. But now people are just loving it.”
Digital library resources also available
QR codes on site allow patrons to sign up for a library card so they can check out items. Books and movies will be replenished multiple times throughout the week in the lockers at the transit center – library goers can return physical library items in the return box.
E-books, audiobooks, magazines and other digital resources are also available. Bus and library patrons can learn more about the METRO RTA maps and schedules, find library locations and see upcoming events, as well as request reading recommendations.
“Anytime that we can provide something for our passengers that allows them not to have to travel more than they need to, we’re all into that,” Distler said. “But also it’s just very cool, it’s convenient, it makes it easier for them, and I think it’s an amazing partnership.”