Perlego, the online library that’s lending students a helping hand

Many students opt for second-hand versions or illegal downloads to get the textbooks they need for their studies. — AFP Relaxnews

Making ends meet isn’t easy for students. There are many sources of expense, especially when it comes to acquiring all the academic books on a course syllabus. Now, an online service called Perlego is offering students access to a catalogue of nearly one million books in six languages in return for a subscription fee.

Gauthier Van Malderen and Matthew Davis, originally from Belgium, launched Perlego in 2016 to provide an affordable solution for students. “Not so long ago, our founders... were students struggling to pay for textbooks, like so many of their peers. Textbook prices continue to skyrocket, leaving students unable to afford the resources they need,” reads the British firm’s website.