These days, I'm spending more time reading magazines because I discovered the Boston Public Library’s digital magazine service.
It's another one of the free services included in your Boston Public Library Card. Once you finish the steps to get started with the service, you can browse the newsstand and read the latest issue and a few of the back issues right on your desktop or laptop.
If you want to read on your mobile device, you can download the appropriate app and have reading material on hand wherever you are.
I love the option to be notified when a new issue of a favorite magazine is available. I'm using that service for the New Yorker and Saveur right now. This week I enjoyed all the cartoons and a few of the articles in the New Yorker.
When they announced this service, the Library said,
"Boston Public Library now provides library cardholders free access to popular magazines via a digital magazine service, making more than 100 popular English and Spanish language magazines instantly available. The online resource Zinio offers the ability to check out and download titles like National Geographic, ESPN the Magazine, Good Housekeeping, and Newsweek, and is compatible with smartphones, tablets, and computers. Zinio features complete, full-color magazines with intuitive navigation, keyword article search, and interactive audio and video elements.
“Boston Public Library is pleased to offer this new resource,” said Michael Colford, Director of Library Services. “It is a convenient, free, no-waiting option that appeals to avid magazine readers as well as those who prefer to consume their news and information in digital form.”
Cardholders can reach the service via the “collections” section of the Boston Public Library website. Library users log in with their Boston Public Library card and then create a library collection account and a Zinio.com reader account. In addition, users have the option of downloading a Zinio app."
If you don't have a Boston Public Library Card, get one. You might not know that you qualify for a BPL card.
Here's the official word on who is eligible:
"You are eligible for a library card if you are:
- a resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- a Massachusetts property owner
- commute to Massachusetts for work
- residing in Massachusetts while attending school
- a resident of temporary housing in Massachusetts
- Library users from outside Massachusetts may apply for a research card for the purpose of using Research Library materials (in-library use only)."
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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2015 Penny Cherubino, Screen shot from the Boston Public Library website.