As a kid, one of the best days of the month was when my Highlights magazine arrived for me in the mail. Not only was it very important to receive mail just for me, but I couldn’t wait to identify the silly things in the picture, read the stories, beg my mom to buy supplies for this issue’s craft, and thumb through the pages to my heart’s content. Years later at 14, I would stealthily flip through Seventeen in a dark corner of the library, aware of how scandalous it might be to read a magazine for those 3 years older, but desperate for celeb news and eyeliner tips.
Just like with books, many of us have fond memories of pouring over the latest issue of our favorite magazine. But unlike books, magazines give us permission to skip a page. Read what interests you, leave the rest. It’s all in your hands. You’ll never miss a plot point or have to keep characters straight. Magazines are easy, breezy, and commitment free. Maybe that’s why the magazine section remains one of the most popular places to explore in the library.
Now on the Libby app, many libraries have digital magazines available to borrow for both adults and kids (hello, Highlights!). Magazines are available where you want them, when you want them, and are easily discoverable through Libby. Never again will you need to thumb through dirty stacks at the doctor’s office or overpay at the airport.
Read on for a rundown of the most popular magazines in Libby!
The New Yorker
Your go-to for sharp commentary, quirky fiction, witty poetry, and hilarious cartoons, with in-depth takes on everything from current events to culture and the arts.
US Weekly
Get a weekly dose of celebrity gossip, style secrets, hot scoops, and everything you need to stay in the know about the stars and their world.
Cook’s Illustrated
The ultimate kitchen companion for foolproof recipes, expert tips, and gadget reviews—perfect for turning everyday meals into culinary masterpieces.
National Geographic
Your passport to the world, with breathtaking photography, epic adventures, and fascinating stories about nature, science, and cultures from every corner of the globe.
Prevention
Learn health tips, fitness hacks, and expert advice to help you live your best, most vibrant life.
Woman’s World
Packed with feel-good stories, simple wellness tips, delicious recipes, and all the inspiration you need to live your happiest life.
In Touch Weekly
All the latest celebrity news, gossip, and the inside scoop on your favorite stars.
Good Housekeeping
Discover expert home tips, smart ideas, delicious recipes, and all the inspiration you need for a happy, healthy home.
Bon Appetit
Your culinary playground for bold recipes, kitchen hacks, and mouthwatering food adventures that’ll have you cooking like a pro.
New Scientist
Exploring the wonders of science with fascinating discoveries, cutting-edge research, and mind-bending insights into the world around us.
You can borrow magazines for free (along with ebooks and audiobooks) from your local public library to read on your device through the Libby app. All you need to do to get started is download Libby from the app store and enter your library card number.
To see if your library offers digital magazines, check with your local branch or browse your library’s homepage in the Libby app.
You can find magazines by searching, browsing the Library in the Libby app, or visiting the Newsstand (from the Magazine Rack on your Shelf). Once you find a magazine that interests you, tap Open Magazine to start reading.
There are over 4,000 magazines to borrow in Libby from all over the world, so you'll have no shortage of issues to choose from!
Check out the list above for popular titles. There are also tons of special interest titles like PC World, Minecraft World, Women's Fitness, among others. You can find titles in a variety of languages including Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, German, French, and more. In addition to the most current issue, you can also read up to 3 years of back issues when available.
No, there are no holds or waitlists for magazines in Libby. They're always available for immediate access. Magazines also don't count against your library's borrowing limit, so read as many as you'd like!
It's no mail at your door, but it's the next best thing! You can subscribe in a few ways:
When you subscribe to a magazine, the latest issue of the magazine is added to the Magazine Rack on your Shelf. You'll receive a notification when a new issue is released based on your notification settings.
Yes! Here's how:
Magazines with a checkmark next to them are downloaded to your device. The download is deleted when the magazine issue is removed from the Magazine Rack (when the issue expires or is replaced by a new issue of a subscription).
Absolutely! If you’re wondering about reading a magazine digitally, we’ve worked to make the experience as easy as possible.
When you're reading a magazine, you can open individual articles and adjust text size and lighting settings for them. You can also zoom in to pictures to get a closer look. Click on the links for a more detailed step-by-step on how to customize your reading.
❓ Have more questions about magazines? Browse Libby Help for answers!
Start flipping through for free with digital magazines in Libby.
Published Oct 03, 2022