A new Vodafone initiative is delivering digital books to schools in Romania via wallpaper that can be scanned with smartphones.
300 schools across the country are replacing libraries with digital books that students can download onto their devices by scanning QR codes on the wallpaper, which is designed to look like a bookshelf filled with a row of books. The spine of each title features a unique QR code that allows students to download it to their smartphone.
The ‘Digital Library’ initiative began as an attempt to drive 4G usage among Romanians, who use three times less mobile data than the European average. It saves space in schools as well as providing students with more opportunities to read.
Initially, the project was rolled out in shopping malls, mainline commuter train stations and subways. Within six months, the Vodafone Digital Public Library had three times more downloads than the biggest e-book retailer in Romania.
The success of the initiative led to Vodafone joining forces with Romanian furniture retailer Mobexpert to allow people to design their own Digital Library wallpaper featuring their favourite books.
The Digital Library project proved particularly popular with university students, who could take a library of favourite books with them into cramped student accommodation. This in turn caught the attention of Romania’s Minister of Education, enabling it to be extended to 300 schools across the country.
