More Libraries Landing in Airports

When you think about it, the airport-library combination makes perfect sense. What better time to do some reading than when you’re waiting for a flight? That’s why more U.S. airports are partnering with local libraries to expand reading opportunities for travelers.

In fact, a recent article in the Library Journal says that more libraries are looking for permission to operate in airports across the globe. But many of these aren’t traditional brick-and-mortar book depositories.

Libraries are providing passengers with free ebook download programs, which often don’t require any library card. The first program of this kind was created in 2011 by Florida's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and the Broward County Libraries Division. Screens in the baggage claim area show QR codes that can be scanned to access an e-library with 15,000 titles.

Other library-airport combinations have also popped up over the past couple of years. This includes the Traverse Area District Library’s Books on the Go program at Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse and the Kansas State Library’s Books on the Fly campaign at the Manhattan Regional Airport.

Meanwhile, a completely virtual branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia is up and running at the Philadelphia International Airport. The branch offers free WiFi, which allows travelers to connect to the FLP’s network to use all their digital services.

“The airport is a huge opportunity, with thousands of employees there, along with local travelers who can benefit from library resources,” FLP Public Services Technology Coordinator Jenn Donsky told the Library Journal.

This trend isn’t limited to the United States. Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport opened a 24-hour, self-service library in 2010. You can’t check out books, but there’s a librarian who pops in for about an hour a day. Also, a book-swap has been established at Finland's Helsinki Airport (HEL).

Blending airports and libraries isn’t a new idea. The first such venture opened in the U.S. in 1962 at the Nashville International Airport. The library also offered reproductions of well-known artwork for check-out, in addition to books, according to an article in USA Today.

Are you a traveling book worm?  Tell us what keeps you turning pages at 30,000 feet by leaving a comment below or join us in the discussion on Twitter and Facebook!