Flipster Library Magazines: How to Read Them Free With Your Card

Written by Mustafa Bilgic, Operator Sources checked: September 28, 2026
✓ Last Updated: September 2026 | Checked against official sources by Mustafa Bilgic, Operator

Flipster is EBSCO's digital magazine service for libraries. You read it free with a library card, in a web browser or in the Flipster app, and Boston, Seattle and Cuyahoga County say there are no waitlists. The catch is that the magazines differ from one library to the next, sign-in steps vary, and Mid-Continent Public Library in Missouri dropped Flipster in February 2026. Pick your library and your device below to see how to get in.

Flipster finder: your library and your device

Choose your library and the device you will read on. You will see how that library lets you in, what it says about Flipster, and whether there is an app for your device.

Your answer will show here.

Library details checked September 28, 2026. Device details come from EBSCO's Flipster guide and the Flipster app listings.

Libraries we checked

We read the Flipster page of each library below. Eight still offer it; one ended it this year. The magazines column shows titles the library itself names, which are examples rather than full lists.

LibraryStateHow you get inMagazines namedWorth knowing
Boston Public LibraryMACard number and PINNot named on the pageSelect weekly titles may expire in 2 days, monthly in 7
Center Moriches Free Public LibraryNYLibrary cardNot named on the pageSeparate at-home and in-library links
Cuyahoga County Public LibraryOHLibrary cardPeople, Cleveland Magazine, Forbes, Sports Illustrated and moreNo waitlists, no borrowing limits
Denver Public LibraryCOLibrary cardAbility, Atlantic Monthly, Bloomberg Businessweek, Essence and moreNames 8 titles not on Libby or PressReader
Knox County Public LibraryTNLibrary sign-inConsumer Reports, Newsweek, Kiplinger's Personal FinanceBack issues; app troubleshooting steps
St. Louis County LibraryMOLibrary cardNot named on the pageA small collection of exclusive magazines
San Francisco Public LibraryCAeMagazines pageNot named on the pageLinks app guides for three device types
The Seattle Public LibraryWALibrary cardNot named on the pageNo waiting, no download limit
Mid-Continent Public LibraryMONo longer offeredNot named on the pageEnded February 2026

From each library's own page, read September 28, 2026. Boston Public Library blocks our server, so its pages were read from Internet Archive copies dated April 22, 2026 and November 18, 2025.

How Flipster works

EBSCO calls Flipster a digital magazine subscription platform for libraries. For you it is a free service provided courtesy of your library, as the Flipster app listing puts it. Libraries choose from flexible magazine subscription options, EBSCO says, so the shelf differs from place to place: Denver names Ability, Atlantic Monthly, Bloomberg Businessweek, Essence, People, Real Simple, Time and Travel & Leisure, while Knox County names Consumer Reports, Newsweek and Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

  • Read in a browser. EBSCO says you click your library's Flipster link, browse the magazines and open one in your browser, on any computer, laptop or mobile device with an internet connection.
  • Download for offline reading. From your library's Flipster link, choose Open in App and the issue goes to the Flipster app, where you can read and manage it offline.
  • Back issues. Boston says to open the latest issue on a computer and choose All Issues. In the app, back issues sit below the magazine's description. Knox County also lists back issues.
  • No waitlists. Boston says you may download as many issues as you like, with no limit and no hold lists. Seattle and Cuyahoga County say the same in their own words.
  • Some issues expire. Boston says Flipster has no traditional loan periods, but select weekly titles may expire in 2 days and select monthly or seasonal titles in 7 days. Expired issues turn gray, and you can download them again if they are still available.
  • Printing and alerts. Printing works on a computer, not on a phone or in the iPad app, and the publisher decides whether you can print a page, a range or nothing, Boston says. It adds that Flipster does not send alerts when new issues arrive.
  • Reading tools. The app listings mention a table of contents for each magazine, a text view for articles, tappable links to articles, and a tracker for how much of an issue you have read.

The Flipster app on iPhone, Android, Fire tablets and laptops

EBSCO's Flipster guide, last updated in February 2024, links apps for three kinds of devices and lists these minimums:

  • iPhone and iPad: iOS 9 and higher. The App Store lists the app as free, from EBSCO Publishing.
  • Android phones and tablets: version 8 and higher, from Google Play. For an older device, the Google Play listing points to an EBSCO Connect document with an earlier version of the app, or suggests asking your librarian.
  • Amazon Fire tablets: EBSCO lists Fire OS up to version 5.4.0.0, with separate steps for older Fire tablets. Boston says Kindle Fire owners can download the app directly and lists 3rd and 4th generation tablets. Cuyahoga County, Knox County and San Francisco also point Fire users to the app.

On a laptop or desktop you do not need an app. EBSCO lists Firefox, Safari and Google Chrome, the latest and one previous version. Knox County says the desktop viewer lets you flip pages with the keyboard, have a screen reader read the content aloud, and load a text-only view of articles.

A phone or tablet can skip the app too. EBSCO lists mobile browsers on iOS 9 and higher and Android 4.2.2 and higher, with a text-only view, a table of contents, an all-issues list and search. Boston makes the same point: the app is not required.

Kindle e-readers, the models that are not Fire tablets, are not on EBSCO's list of app devices, so read on a phone, tablet or computer instead.

Signing in, and fixing a stuck app

Each library ties Flipster to its card in its own way. Boston asks you to search for the library in the app and enter your library card number and PIN. Denver, St. Louis County and Center Moriches say a library card is required, and Cuyahoga County says you read with your Cuyahoga County Public Library card. Center Moriches lists two Flipster links, one for home and one for use in the library, so pick the one that matches where you are.

If the app stops loading new issues, Knox County suggests removing the library and adding it back: tap the library name at the top of the menu, tap Manage Libraries, tap the trash can and confirm DELETE, go back, choose Find a Library (allow location access if asked) and tap LOG IN.

Before you count on Flipster, check that your library still has it. Mid-Continent Public Library in Missouri posted on February 20, 2026 that it no longer provides Flipster and pointed readers to OverDrive Magazines. Denver, on the other hand, says its Flipster titles are not available on Libby or PressReader. For newspapers, see our PressReader guide; for other digital services, see our OverDrive, Libby and hoopla comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Flipster free with a library card?

Yes, at libraries that subscribe. The Flipster app listing calls it a free digital magazine service provided courtesy of your library, and Cuyahoga County says there are no subscription fees. If your library does not offer it, the listing suggests asking the library to sign up.

How do I log in to Flipster with my library card?

Open Flipster from your library's website, or find your library in the Flipster app and sign in with your library details. Boston asks for your library card number and PIN.

Is there a Flipster app for Kindle Fire?

Yes. EBSCO links a Flipster app for Amazon Fire tablets, and Boston says Kindle Fire owners can download it directly. EBSCO does not list Kindle e-readers.

Can I read Flipster on a laptop?

Yes, in a web browser. EBSCO lists Firefox, Safari and Chrome, and no desktop app is needed. Boston says printing works only on a computer.

How long can I keep a Flipster magazine?

Boston says there are no traditional loan periods. Select weekly titles may expire in 2 days and select monthly or seasonal titles in 7 days, and you can download them again if they are still available.

Does Flipster have waitlists?

Boston, Seattle and Cuyahoga County say no. Boston says there is no limit and no hold lists, and Cuyahoga County says there are no waitlists and no borrowing limits.

Related Library Guides

PressReader Free With a Library Card New York Times Library Access Consumer Reports Library Access OverDrive vs Libby vs Hoopla Comparison Best Digital Library Resources Get a Free Library Card Online

Sources

Every rule, fee and figure on this page comes from the official page listed here. We read each one on September 28, 2026. Boston Public Library's pages were read from Internet Archive copies because its site blocks our server. EBSCO's Flipster guide was last updated February 21, 2024.