Digital Magazines @ Your Library!

The perks of having an El Paso Public Library card just got better with the addition of free digital magazines!

Pros:

• Free for everyone with an El Paso Public Library card! No late fees!
• Current issues of popular magazines.
• Keep issues forever! No need to return magazines & they won't disappear from your device. You have the choice of keeping or deleting issues.
• No checkout limit.
• Access magazines on more than one computer and/or device.
• Available 24/7.
• Print pages 
• Hyperlinks within magazines work on computers and iOS devices.

Cons:

• No back issues. Only the current month's issue is available.
• No subscriptions. You have to log in and download every time a new issue comes out. 
• You can't view the library's collection in the app. You have to log in to the RB Digital portal to check out the magazine, then you can launch the Zinio app to download and view the magazine issue.
• Hyperlinks within magazines didn't work on Windows tablet.

Get started today! 

All you need is your library card, pin number and to create two free accounts (we recommend using the same email address & password for both). You should never enter your credit card information on either account since this is a free service provided by El Paso Public Library. 

The RB Digital Landing Site

This is your first stop where you will need to create a new account and enter your library card number. You'll be able to view magazines that the El Paso Public Library currently owns. This is also where you'll check out issues.

Once you select a magazine to check out, you'll be prompted to create a Zinio account if you don't already have one. You're ready to view the magazine on your computer.

Zinio App

If you're going to view magazines on your computer, you'll just need to log into the RB Digital link above. If you want to view magazines on a device you can download the app for these supported devices:
Android
Blackberry
iPhone & iPad
Kindle Fire
Windows

Visit this page on the El Paso Public Library's site for detailed instructions and video.

Check out this quick little screencast we created. You'll get an idea of how to access titles you've checked out and how magazines look when viewed on a PC. Warning: It might make you hungry ;)

BookMyne App Review

App: BookMyne

Platform: Android, iPhone & iPod touch

Cost: free
Key features: Access your library account, renew items, search catalog, request/place holds on items. Available in English, French, German, and Spanish languages. 

More info: http://www.sirsidynix.com/bookmyne

Last year, the El Paso Public Library System upgraded the software that handles our inventory, checking in/out materials, catalog, etc. With that upgrade came this handy app, BookMyne. Like any other app, it has its pros and cons, but has proven quite useful when you need to renew or request items on the go. Best of all, you'll only have to enter your library card and pin number once.

Pros: Search the catalog, renew (even if overdue) and request items. Under settings, you can change the number of days you want to be notified before your books are due. Suggested reading lists include award winners, popular best sellers (NY Times) and the ability to log into your Goodreads account (social).

Cons: Only available for Apple and Android. Some screens aren't very intuitive. I kept forgetting to use the arrow button at the top. Barcode scan search didn't work for me. I tried scanning the barcode of a book and nothing happened. The barcode scanning bug has been fixed & it now works! Just hit the search button after scanning.

Introductory and library info screenshots. 

View your account and see what items are checked out and when they're due. Renew them all or check only the ones that you want renewed by tapping the arrow at the top.

Search the catalog by keyword, title, subject or barcode. Tap the "availability" area to see which branches own a copy and if it's available (checked in).

Request items (place holds) by checking an item in the results list or tapping a title, and then tapping the arrow at the top. You'll be able to place a hold, email the item info to yourself or save to a list. When placing a hold you can change the location you want the item sent to.

View award lists and New York Times best selling lists under the Suggested Reading tab. You can also log into your Goodreads account. The Spin button will randomly choose a list for you. My Bookshelf will show the ebooks you currently have checked out through Overdrive.