Image: screengrab from Scribd.com
As the world goes on quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, American e-book and audiobook subscription service Scribd has given free access to its digital library’s wide array of contents.
The company’s CEO and founder, Trip Adler, took to Facebook on March 19 to announce the good news to the public.
“At Scribd, we believe reading is the most powerful tool we have for connecting and sharing the human experience,” he said.
“With millions of people around the globe staying close to home to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, access to books and information is more important than ever,” Adler added.
Scribd’s digital library, which houses millions of ebooks, audiobooks, magazine articles and others, will be free to anyone for 30 days. People can access Scribd via their app or through https://scr.bi/ReadFree.
“There is no credit card or commitment required,” the CEO noted. “Our goal is simply to ensure everyone has access to their favorite books, authors, and quality content as we settle into our new normal for the next few weeks.”
Adler also appealed to readers to take care both of themselves and each other, hoping that “reading can offer you solace during these difficult times.”
Scribd’s move to give free access to its content is just the latest among several other companies, artists and celebrities to offer the arts and entertainment to the public as the world scrambles to fight the novel coronavirus.
Singer John Legend, for one, held a free online concert for his fans via Instagram Live. In the Philippines, OPM icons Dong Abay and Gary Granada promised to hold daily classes on human rights, literature and music via Facebook.
National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, Ebe Dancel, Chito Miranda and several other artists will also hold a series of free online gigs, which they called “Bayanihan, Musikahan,” both to entertain their fans at home and raise funds for the poor. /ra
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