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Today we learned a few new details about the March 10th update to Zinio, as well as some future enhancements to look forward to.

As you hopefully all know by now, the major change will be the elimination of the two-account sign-in process. Patrons will no longer need to login twice or access the Zinio consumer site to complete the check-out process and read their titles. All of their browsing and check-out activity will take place on our Zinio for Libraries site.Here are the details that are new (or clarified):

• Our Zinio site will have messaging notifying patrons about the new app. (This is a completely different app from the current Zinio app, so there will not be an update notification for people who have already downloaded the existing app.)
• The first time patrons sign in using the new app they will be prompted to select their country, state, and library.  We will be listed as “Pittsburgh Area Libraries (Allegheny County).”  After that step they will be prompted to select their specific library.  Users will only need to do this the first time they log in.
• According to our rep, the iPad app is also for iPhone. However, the test site for the new Zinio for Libraries page lists the newly available apps as iPad and Android.  Hopefully they will change the wording to add iPhone to the list before the March 10th launch date, but we wanted to let you know, just in case.

Here’s what else we already shared about the update:

• The “My Collection” link, which shows patrons all the magazines they have checked out, will now be on the Zinio for Libraries site (rather than on the commercial Zinio site). Once a patron logs in, they will be able to click on the “My Collection” link and manage the titles they have checked out.
• A “My Preferences” tab will allow patrons to easily adjust their notification settings.
• Patrons will have the option of using a new Zinio for Libraries read-only app (currently for iPad and Android, Kindle Fire and iPhone apps will be releases late March/early April). This is different from the regular Zinio app that patrons currently use. It will only show patrons the titles they have checked out and will not have a tab taking them to the commercial Zinio content.
  • All content that patrons have previously checked out will appear once they sign in to the new Zinio for Libraries app, but they will need to re-download the titles they wish to read. (Patrons will only need an internet connection for the download process. They do not need an Internet connection to read the magazines once downloaded.)
  • Patrons will still need to browse for titles by accessing our Zinio collection in their browser. This has not changed. Browsing the collection and checking out titles is not possible within the original Zinio app or the new Zinio for Libraries app.
  • The Zinio for Libraries app will allow patrons to view their selected titles by date, title, or what they have downloaded (as opposed to titles they have checked out but not yet downloaded). This last option is a new feature.
  • Patrons have the option of using the original Zinio app or the Zinio for Libraries app. Patrons that borrow and purchase content may wish to use or continue to use the original Zinio app so that all of their content can be accessed in one app.
• For more details register for an upcoming webinar or view any or all of the video overviews and/or the “How-To” document:
  • Zinio for Libraries – One Account Experience LIVE Webinars – February 2015 Registration –select drop down date field to pick a date and time that works for your schedule.
  • Zinio for Libraries – Desktop – One Account Experience Video Extended (21 minutes)
  • Zinio for Libraries – Desktop – One Account Experience Video Overview (6 Minutes)
  • Zinio for Libraries – Desktop – One Account Experience Promo (1 minute)
  • Zinio for Libraries – iPad – One Account Experience Video Overview (6 minutes)
  • Zinio for Libraries – iPad – Read Only App Promo (25 seconds)
  • Zinio for Libraries – Browse – Check Out – Read How-To Document
  • Zinio for Libraries – Master Order form by Featured and Popular

And finally, here’s what near-future enhancements we can look forward to:

• By the end of March online reading should be possible on iOS, Android, and Windows 8 tablets.  Patrons will be able to immediately start reading their magazines in their browsers as long as they are connected to the internet. For offline reading they will still need to download the magazines.
• A device detector will also be added at the end of the month, making it even easier for patrons to complete the check-out, downloading, and reading process.