A Thoughtful Update on Our Digital Magazine Offerings
At Escondido Public Library, we are committed to ensuring that public funds are used as responsibly and effectively as possible to meet the needs of our community. As part of our regular review of digital services, we have made the decision to cancel our subscription to Flipster, one of our digital magazine platforms, effective immediately.
Why We Made This Decision
The choice to discontinue Flipster was not made lightly. Over the course of the 2024–2025 fiscal year, Flipster usage totaled fewer than 700 magazine downloads. With an annual renewal cost of approximately $11,000, this equates to a cost of nearly $15.00 per download. Unfortunately, this cost per use does not align with our local or industry benchmarks for fiscal responsibility or resource efficiency.
Libraries must continuously evaluate the effectiveness of each service, and in this case, the data clearly indicated that Flipster did not deliver sufficient value for the investment.
Reinvesting in What You Love
We believe in maximizing access to popular, high-quality materials. As such, the funds previously allocated to Flipster will be redirected toward enhancing more widely used collections, including both print and digital materials. These enhancements are designed to support a broader range of patron interests and ensure that resources are available where they’re most in demand.
Looking for Digital Magazines? We’ve Got You Covered.
We understand that many of our patrons enjoy reading magazines digitally, and we’re pleased to offer an excellent alternative through Libby, by OverDrive. Libby provides access to a robust collection of current digital magazines—completely free with your Escondido Public Library card.
Explore Libby’s magazine collection here:
👉 https://serra.overdrive.com/library/magazines
Libby is easy to use and available on all major mobile devices and desktop browsers. If you need help getting started, our library staff are happy to assist you with downloading the app and setting up your account.