The Librarybox Project

To build a LibraryBox, you need a router and a USB thumb drive. You can build a LibraryBox v2.1 with a variety of different router hardware, depending on your use-case and need. At the moment, Librarybox v2.1 supports 12 different pieces of hardware. These are the suggested ones, a complete list can be found see below in the Download section.

  • TP-Link MR3040
    • The MR3040 is the new "standard" LibraryBox hardware, easily pocketable and with a built-in battery for mobile use..
  • TP-Link MR3020
    • The MR3020 is our other standard testing platform, very cheap in the US and easy to work with.
  • Gl-iNet Router
    • The least expensive hardware we've ever been able to support, available widely for less than $25. Amazing product for the price, and works beautifully as a LibraryBox.
  • TP-Link WR703n
    • The WR703n is the non-US version of the MR3020, available in Japan, China, and elsewhere in the world. DO NOT confuse this with the 702n, which does not have a USB port and isn't suitable for use with LibraryBox.
  • TP-Link WR842n
    • The WR842n is best for non-portable LibraryBox installations, or where you want the power of external antenna to broadcast your signal. Make sure that you download the correct version of the firmware for your hardware.
  • TP-Link TL-MR10U
    • The MR10U is a portable router with a built-in 2600 mAh battery for charging other devices built in. It is primarily a non-US piece of hardware, so if you are in the US, tread carefully.
  • TP-Link MR13U
    • The MR13U is also a portable router for the non-US market, but this one has a 10,000 mAh battery, plenty for running the LibraryBox for over a full day of use.

LibraryBox also requires a FAT32 formatted USB flash drive to be used in conjunction with one of the above routers. You can use any FAT32 formatted USB flash drive, which means that there is a soft limit of 4GB for a single file (a limitation of the FAT32 filesystem). I like the SanDisk Cruzer line of drives, that come in a variety of sizes and costs from Amazon: from 4GB to 128GB. I like the low-profile drives as they make for a more compact final product.

Full disclosure: the links to hardware above use my Amazon Affiliate code, if you are going to buy hardware to build your own LibraryBox and you click through those links a very small amount will go towards the further development of the project

Full List of Supported Hardware

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