Users of the municipal libraries in the 17 municipalities of the Porto Metropolitan Area (AMP) will have digital access to more than 7,000 newspapers, magazines and other national and international publications, through the PressReader platform, following the approval of the joint adhesion to the service by the Porto Metropolitan Council.

The initiative will widen access to information, lecturing and digital literacy across the metropolitan area by making digital content available at any time and from different devices. Among the features of the platform stand out the permanent remote access, translation and audio tools and the consultation of thousands of national and international publications.

According to the Vice-President of the Porto Metropolitan Council, Amadeu Albergaria, this is "a very important project" that will allow the 17 municipalities, through their libraries, to provide their readers with legal access to the entire press.

Some of the municipalities already offered this service, but seven still did not have it. With this joint membership, all municipalities will join the initiative, ensuring a more comprehensive, balanced and cohesive digital offer across the Metropolitan Network of Public Libraries.

The approved proposal also foresees scale gains and better contracting conditions, allowing to reduce burdens and strengthen metropolitan coordination of the digital offer made available by public libraries.

The overall investment associated with the joint accession amounts to 77,300 euros, plus VAT, and is distributed among the 17 municipalities of the Porto Metropolitan Area.

The Vice-President of the Council underlined that this measure also contributes to the valorisation of journalism and the media by promoting legal access to content and supporting the economic sustainability of the sector.

The agreement is currently being signed by mayors and is expected to enter into force soon.

With this initiative, the Porto Metropolitan Area reinforces the role of public libraries as spaces for access to knowledge, culture and information, guaranteeing readers more choice, diversity of content, accessibility and greater mobility in access to digital reading.