Corporate reading service Bookster launches Lifelong Bookster, a program that allows former employees of partner companies to continue borrowing books and educational resources free of charge after retirement, according to Wall-Street. Access is free for retirees, but available only if the employer activates the option, which involves an additional cost for the company.
The initiative reshapes the concept of employee benefits, turning access to reading into a long-term commitment that extends beyond active employment.
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How the idea emerged
“The idea for the program came from a real situation in which an employee of Banca Transilvania, approaching retirement, confessed that his greatest regret about leaving work was losing access to Bookster. For our team, that moment was a clear signal that Bookster had become a personal ritual and reference point. It confirmed that reading has the power to create meaning and continuity at any stage of life, and Lifelong Bookster is our response to this need,” says Teodora Rădulescu, CEO of Bookster.
The program offers access to the entire platform: thousands of books, articles, video materials and educational resources that support an intellectually active lifestyle. For companies, it represents an extension of organizational culture and a tangible way to recognize long-term employee contributions.
Lifelong Bookster complements the existing portfolio, currently used by over 1,500 partner companies and around 190,000 active users.
Reading as a response to loneliness
Data indicates that more than half of elderly people in urban Romania experience loneliness, and nearly 310,000 individuals report high levels of it. The program encourages retirees to maintain contact with their former professional community, including returning to company offices to collect and return books.
The European SHARE (Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe) analysis highlights the importance of an active environment in maintaining mental health after age 50, confirming the cognitive benefits of activities such as reading.
Photo: freepik.com
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