By Amy Batista, Special Writer
EAST WINDSOR — The Mercer County Library System is offering free online access to more than 8 million songs plus movies, television and other content this summer.
The library system is using Freegal to provide music and movies and is bringing digital magazines to cardholders through Flipster. The new services began on June 1.
“Our library system continues to look for ways to satisfy the informational, recreational and cultural needs of our diverse community,“ Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes said in a press release. “These new digital services will help our library patrons stay connected to the library from home or anywhere else.“
Freegal allows library patrons to download three songs each week for permanent keeping, according to Hightstown Memorial Library Branch Manager Emily Frey.
“The other service is called Flipster and it lets you download magazines to your computer or other devices,” Ms. Frey said. “For both of these services, all you need is a library card and you can do it from home.”
Two dozen of the library’s most popular magazines, like People and Consumer Reports, are available in both current and older issues, she said.
The magazines can be read in the web browser by clicking on the Flipster link on the library website. For portable devices, the free Flipster app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store or Amazon Kindle App Shop. Library cardholders can then select magazines from the Flipster link on the library website and then opt to download to the app for offline reading.
Hickory Corner Branch Manager Sharon Galbraith Ryer said the response to the newest digital services at the library has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Patrons can download and stream music and video, read digital full-color magazines, or borrow ebooks and audiobooks from the library right to their computers or mobile devices,” she said. “All you need is your library card to log on to the service.”
Freegal increases the size and diversity of the library system’s music collection by offering patrons access to a huge number of music labels, including Sony Music’s catalog of artists. Registered cardholders can visit the library’s website, www.mcl.org, and click on the Freegal icon to download songs and stream up to three hours of music every day. The songs are MP3 files and can be downloaded to a computer or to a portable device without the need to download software using the Freegal app available through the Apple App Store and Google Play, according to the press release.
Hickory Corner Branch will host a class for patrons with questions about Freegal and Flipster on July 7 at 1:30 p.m. Patrons can register by calling the branch at 609-448-1330.
“We just started registration for most of our programs, so there is still room,” Ms. Galbraith Ryer said. “At Hickory Corner, we open up new programs for registration every Monday.”
She said most people ask, “How do I get these on my device?”
“Every device is a little different,” she said. “That’s why we decided to offer the class to help folks find the information they need to access all of this content.”
She said patrons also want to know what types of music, movies and magazines they can get.
“There is a big variety in the choices,” she said, adding that there is something for everyone.
For more information about Freegal or Flipster, visit www.mcl.org.
