Culture plays a central role in Rome. ATAC, the public transit agency of Italy’s capital, has been offering access to a digital library for years, providing over 18,000 free resources including books, audiobooks, and music tracks. All it takes is scanning a QR code to download content directly to your smartphone or tablet—no limits, no registration required.

Currently, QR codes are installed on over 200 bus shelters throughout the city and on select trains operating on the metro lines. Anyone interested can browse the digital catalog, which features a wide variety of content for all ages and tastes. The categories include Italian fiction and short stories, international classics, women’s literature, young adult titles, as well as poetry, theater, travel and art essays, audiobooks, and classical music.