Zinio for Libraries
Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter
The Strathmore Municipal Library has brought in yet another new initiative, this time geared towards magazine lovers.
Everyone has that favourite magazine they love, whether it’s Car and Driver, Cosmo, or Canadian Living. One problem with buying magazines is that you have to figure out what to do with them after. You can go to your local library and borrow a magazine, but the selection is limited – only the current issue is available and there is only one hard copy to borrow.
Zinio for Libraries came to Strathmore last month, allowing library members the opportunity to electronically borrow any of the 81 popular magazine titles.
“This is a very big deal for us to be providing this kind of service because you don’t have to walk into the library to borrow a magazine, you don’t have to worry about late fees, you can access this all from the comfort of your home,” said Assistant Director of Library Services Carmen Erison.
One of the nice things about Zinio being at the library is it will clear up the clutter of magazines at home, and there are never any late fees because it’s a digital copy that will expire after the time is up.
Access to Zinio is free of charge, once you have a library membership of course. To access it go to the Marigold e-resources website www.marigold.ab.ca/eresources and select Zinio.
Two separate log-ins must be created: one that allows you to access the Zinio magazines through the library; and then once you select the magazines you want, you create a log in ID with Zinio itself.
“There is a reader app that you can download on your tablets, you must borrow the magazines on your computer, but once you’ve borrowed the magazines on your computer you can access them on your mobile devices,” said Erison.
It’s an exciting program said Erison, and one the municipal library is happy Marigold Library Systems has subscribed to.
A library membership costs $20 per family, $12 for an adult and $7.50 for students and seniors. The library card gives you access to Zinio and many more great programs and e-resources.