300 Digital Library Spots to Appear in Tbilisi in 2016

Saba Digital Book House has launched a new project which aims to turn the Georgian capital into a library by giving an opportunity for everyone to enjoy literature via their own electronic device. The spots, which offer electronic books, will be located throughout Tbilisi from December 2016.

Project organizers say that 300 digital library spots will be installed on the main streets and parks, near museums, libraries and other cultural institutions, as well as in the Metro. Each digital library will have unique QR codes to download books by both famous Georgian and foreign authors and read them on a mobile device any time using the Saba Reader mobile application, even without an internet connection.

The books will be available to download in text and audio form, enabling even people with visual disabilities to make use of the service.

“Young people have less time for books, so we want to get books on their digital devices as well as in their lives,” said Rati Amaglobeli, founder of Saba Digital Book House.

The project will be implemented with the support of Tbilisi City Hall and the President’s Fund. In its turn, City Hall announced a competition to create a design for the digital library spots. Offers will be accepted until June 1. The winning design will be installed at appropriate locations on Machabeli and Tabidze streets, Rustaveli Avenue and other places around the city.

The Saba Digital Book House has an extended library of over 3000 digital books including contemporary and classical literature by both Georgian and foreign authors.

Eka Karsaulidze