Free digital magazines are a library card benefit

Readers eager to page through the latest issue of their favorite magazine can do so anywhere, anytime through their public library. Most suburban Chicago libraries offer a digital service that gives patrons free access to current magazines. Cardholders of the Vernon Area Public Library in Lincolnshire can download Flipster to read any of 75 popular magazines including Vanity Fair, Time and Sports Illustrated.

The easy-to-use Flipster app is free and works on Android and Apple phones and tablets as well as desktop systems and Kindle Fire tablets. An online newsstand shows the most recent issues of top magazines like Forbes, People and Real Simple. Readers can also browse by category such as business, entertainment and home and garden.

Once a magazine is selected, the issue is downloaded to the reader's device, so it can be read anywhere - no internet connection needed. The reader pages through just as they would a print magazine or uses the table of contents to jump directly to articles of interest. A zoom option ups readability.

"Flipster is great product for our community," said Keith Barlog, Head of Readers & Information Services. "So many people use smartphones and tablets to access information now, so it makes sense to have a product that provides popular magazines in a digital format, especially one that is so easy to use."

The app also allows readers to find past issues they might have missed. While connected to the internet, clicking the "all issues" button within the magazine view shows previous editions available for download.

The Flipster magazine app is available free to all Vernon Area Public Library cardholders. To get started, visit bit.ly/mags-now. For assistance, call the library at 224-543-1486.