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JBSA News
NEWS | Feb. 14, 2013

Library offers free digital magazine service

By Alex Salinas Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

The library at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph secured a contract in September with Zinio - a company that offers digital magazines - allowing patrons to access more than 650 magazines online free of charge.

"We've had good feedback for the service. People are using it and want to use it," Laura Bott, 902nd Force Support Squadron senior library technician, said. "We always want to provide as many resources as possible, so if there's a demand for digital content, we'll offer it."

Anyone with a Department of Defense ID card can sign up for a Randolph library card by visiting Bldg. 598, which is needed to use the magazine service.

Once a library card is secured, patrons must visit http://www.rafblibrary.org, click on "Account Login" at the top of the page, enter their library card number to the left of the screen, click on the "Featured Services" tab and then "Zinio" for registration procedures, which can be done outside of the library.

"The magazines can be read online or downloaded to your computer, tablet or smart phone," Gail Trevino, 902nd FSS programming librarian, said. "Once the magazines are downloaded, you can read articles offline at your leisure."

Free Zinio applications are available for Android and iOS-operated devices.

Multiple genres, from cooking to sports to fine arts, are included in the free service and can be accessed unlimitedly.

"There aren't only obscure magazines; there's a lot of big-name magazines to read as well," Bott said, including Cosmopolitan, ESPN The Magazine and Newsweek.

While the library still offers print copies of certain publications, their contract with Zinio reflects an increasing demand for technology, Bott said.

"The patrons' preferences are really divided," Bott said. "We still have paper copies for those who like to hold what they're reading, but a lot of people just like the digital content. It's very convenient."

For registration assistance and more information, call the Randolph Library at 652-2617.