Q. Can I check out magazines?

Older issues of magazines can be checked out for 2 weeks. Up to 10 magazines can be checked out at one time. (View all of Sarasota County Libraries' checkout policies at the FAQ page, "What are the check out policies for Sarasota County Libraries?".)

The most recent copy of each magazine can only be used in the library and cannot be checked out. In order to find out which physical copies of magazines each library branch has in stock, view this catalog search showing a list of all physical magazines offered at Sarasota County Library branches.

Holds can also be placed on magazines, just like other library items. For help placing holds, you can call us at 941-861-1110, contact us via Ask Us (email, text, and chat service), or view our FAQ page, "How do I reserve, or place a hold, on a library item?".

When you check out a magazine, you will be given an envelope to return it in to protect it from damage. Please place the magazine in the envelope before putting it in the book return. Magazines can be borrowed from and returned to any library (it's helpful to return it to the same library that it was borrowed from, though). 

We also have Flipster and PressReader, two online databases that have digital magazines you can read online, as well as download and print pages. 

Flipster has current issues of magazines, as well as multiple older issues. The website will work on most devices, and there's also a free app you can download to your smartphone or tablet. Sarasota County Public Libraries currently subscribes to over 80 magazines, including Consumer Reports and People.

PressReader offers global and multicultural magazine/newspaper publications from over 120 countries in more than 60 languages. You can also access PressReader from either a web browser or their free mobile app which you can download to a smartphone or tablet.

Both Flipster and PressReader can be found on our Digital Library page under the Newspapers, Magazines, and Journal Articles tab. For more information on Flipster, view our FAQ page, "What is Flipster and how do I use it?". For more information on PressReader, view our FAQ page, "What is PressReader?".