Flipster

Video Tutorial
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• Instant access through your computer and mobile device to popular magazines such as People, Men’s Health, Time, National Geographic, and Good Housekeeping.

• Accessible through the Flipster—Digital Magazines app for iOS and Android. Available for computer and Kindle Fire through a web browser.

• No waiting periods to access magazines.  

Through the app:

1. In the app store on your iOS or Android device, search for Flipster. Install and open the free Flipster - Digital Magazines app.

2. Tap the blue Get Started button.

3. When prompted to choose your library, tap allow to let location services find it automatically or use the search bar to find the Manatee County Public Library.

4. Tap the blue LOG IN button to the right of the library’s listing.

5. Log in using your Patron ID (barcode on back of Library Card, no spaces). You will not need to make a Flipster account.

Through a web browser:

1. Go to the library’s website and click on the orange Download & Stream button.

2. Click on the Flipster link from the A-Z Databases list.

3. If accessing the website from outside of the library, you will be prompted to enter your barcode number in the box for Patron ID. Click the Sign In button.

4. No additional sign-up is required for Flipster.

1. When using the app, scroll to browse the list of available magazines or tap the magnifying glass icon to search for a title. 

2. Tap on the magazine you wish to read, then tap the blue Download button. Once the item has downloaded, tap the green Read button. To view/download back issues, scroll down and tap the arrow icon next to the date. Any downloaded magazines will be available for you to read without being connected to Wi-Fi or a cellular data network for up to 1 week. You can also access the magazine later by tapping the "My Shelf" button.

3. While reading in the app, you will swipe left and right to turn the pages forward and backward. Double tap the screen or use the pinch motion with two fingers to zoom. There is also a full-screen button in the top-left corner.

4. Bookmark articles by tapping the bookmark icon at the top of the viewer screen. Tap the menu button to see the table of contents.

5. Flipster also features a text-to-speech reader. After locating an article you wish to read, tap "Text View" at the top of your screen. Then tap the speaker icon. Press play to have the article read to you. Tap the back arrow in the upper left corner to return to Text View. 

6. Magazines downloaded to the shelf use your device's memory. Delete titles from your shelf that you have finished or that have expired by clicking the trash can icon next to the title.

1. The Flipster homepage provides you with the option to Search a title, explore categories, or browse the latest issues.

2. To access a magazine, click on the title. Then click Read Now to open the latest issue or click on one of the available back issues.

3. The navigation bar at the bottom of the page has arrows to move forward and backward in the magazine, a zoom feature, and a full-screen button. The bar at the top includes buttons to print, view all issues, browse the table of contents and pages, search the magazine, and adjust screen settings.