The Stillwater Public Library will launch two new digital services for cardholders on Sept. 2. Users will be able to access over 1,000 digital magazines using Libby, the app that provides access to e-books and e-audiobooks in the OK Virtual Library. Users will also have online access to NewsBank, which provides access to thousands of news sources, including current and archived copies of The Oklahoman and Tulsa World.

Both services will initially be offered on a one-year trial basis. The library will assess renewal based on use. Funding for the services is provided by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries’ State Aid grant.

Library Director Stacy DeLano wants patrons to know that the physical copies of magazines and newspapers currently in the library’s periodical section will remain available at this time.

“We want to provide more resources that are more accessible for library users,” DeLano said. “The cost of printed magazines and newspapers continues to rise, and many magazines are not available in print at all. There are also some added features that come along with these digital services.”

Unlike OK Virtual Library e-books, digital magazines can be borrowed by multiple users simultaneously with no waiting or borrowing limits, and they do not count toward the six-title limit for digital books.

“Library patrons will have access to a wide variety of magazine titles,” said Andrea Kane, technical services supervisor and coordinator of the OK Virtual Library. “All readers will be able to find magazines that appeal to their interests and needs— from cooking, technology, health and sports to travel, décor, politics and science. Magazines for children and titles in other languages are also available.”

Top-ranked titles found in the OK Virtual Library include Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Kiplinger, National Geographic and National Geographic Kids, The New Yorker, Newsweek, Popular Mechanics, Reader’s Digest, US Weekly, Vanity Fair and many other popular publications.

While the library has offered some digital magazines in the past, this will be the first time it has hosted a digital news service. NewsBank is an online resource that empowers patrons to explore a diverse range of popular topics, including business, health, politics, careers and entrepreneurship. National, regional and local news content covering a variety of perspectives will be available.

“NewsBank provides access to current newspapers and other reliable news sources across the United States,” DeLano said. “It is also an excellent resource for doing historical research and finding obituaries since it hosts archives from over 40 years ago.” 

The service hosts over 25 Oklahoma papers and more than 4,000 sources in total, including titles such as USA Today, Business Examiner and China Daily US Edition.

Library users can access magazines on a smartphone, e-reader or tablet using the Libby app, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store, the Apple Store or the Amazon App Store. Computer users can browse titles at libbyapp.com or visit the OK Virtual Library at okvirtuallibrary.overdrive.com. NewsBank will be accessible along with the library’s other databases at stillwaterok.gov/LibraryDatabases. A Stillwater Public Library card is required to use both services.

Librarians are available to assist patrons with Libby, NewsBank and other library services at the Help Desk. One-on-one appointments can also be scheduled, and an in-person class on using the new services will be held on Monday, Oct. 18, at 5:30 p.m. Please call (405) 373-3633 x8106 with questions or to register for an appointment or class.