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Magazine Subscription Management for Libraries

Unique Magazines are the UK's leading supplier of magazine subscriptions to libraries.

We have been managing subscriptions for libraries for nearly a decade, and we know how important it is for a library to have a source of publications and literature that they can rely on.

Dealing with individual publishers and managing multiple subscriptions can be extremely time consuming, but using Unique Magazines to fulfil your needs will save you both time and money.

With Unique Magazines, you will have access to over 2000 publications covering a range of topics, including history, sports, entertainment, technology and current affairs. We also pride ourselves on the amount of niche titles we have in stock, and you can order both popular and hard to find titles from around the world.

In the event that you can't find the magazine that you want then our dedicated team are on hand to help you track it down. We'll also talk you through the substantial savings that can be made when you take out your subscription with Unique Magazines, whether you subscribe to one title or 200.

Every issue of every publication you want for your library will be delivered straight to your door on publication and there are no subscription management fees. It couldn't be easier to get the titles you need with Unique Magazines.

Service Checklist

Over 2000 Magazines from one store
One point of contact, one order, one invoice, no hassle
Specialist magazines
Ongoing account management and customer support

Making Libraries Relevant In Times Of Change.

OVER THE YEARS WE HAVE SEEN HOW LIBRARY MANAGERS HAVE HAD TO BE MORE CREATIVE WITH THEIR BUDGETS, AND TRY TO STRETCH THEIR FUNDS AS FAR AS THEY WILL GO. ANDREW FLETCHER, AREA MANAGER FOR NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE LIBRARIES IN THE WEST OF THE CITY EXPLAINS HOW MAGAZINES ARE PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN MAKING LIBRARIES RELEVANT IN TIMES OF CHANGE.

The difficulties faced by libraries during this time of austerity are well documented, and nowhere has this been more apparent than in Newcastle-UponTyne. But library manager Andrew Fletcher believes magazines are helping to engage with a whole new audience.

With responsibility for nine libraries in the west of Newcastle as well as oversight of the Stock Services department, he is charged with ensuring the library service serves the community on its doorstep.

Our stock really needs to reflect the changing demands of the community, and it's important that we move with the times

We measure our success by the number of people visiting and using the library on a daily or weekly basis but also as a tool for learning. To achieve that people need to feel there’s something of interest to them at their local branch.

For Andrew this means providing a balanced stock at every library including a supply of current magazine titles. He continues:

We've promoted magazines by locating them close to comfy seating areas, typically near to the café or coffee machines. I suppose you could describe them as ‘break-out areas’ where people can relax and enjoy reading material that is easy to dip in and out of. The last few years have seen a change in the perception of magazines as a way to promote greater literacy and develop positive reading habits, and by stocking a range of interest-led titles - from lifestyle to gardening, and motoring to cookery - we are able to attract those who wouldn’t have considered themselves 'library-goers' before.

Andrew identifies popular culture magazines as playing a key role in dispelling the myth that libraries are formal facilities, and he is keen to stress the positive impact they have had with children in particular. Andrew continues:

As a way of enticing young readers into the library and encouraging them to read more widely, magazines are a fantastic resource. We are finding that the right magazines give young readers a taste for a subject, encouraging them to then go and explore their library further. For example, we might see readers of National Geographic Kids or BBC Wildlife becoming immersed in a particular topic and, before you know it, they are scouring the library for non-?ction titles, or using a computer to develop this knowledge further. By selecting a broad range of titles based on informal feedback from visitors, we can use magazines to provide a pathway to all kinds of subjects.

The need to keep the libraries of Newcastle current and appealing to both adults and children presents a particular challenge for Andrew and his team. With over 100 magazines and journals stocked in the Central Library alone each month, it is both a logistical and financial challenge for an institution facing budgetary restrictions in times of austerity. Library subscriptions had previously been handled through a number of different suppliers in Newcastle, but after some of the branch libraries switched to a single subscription service managed by Unique Magazines, Andrew says it wasn't long before he was convinced of the benefits they could offer.

To those unsure what kind of impact magazines can have in developing the next generation of educated and literate readers, Andrew points to a library visit of best-selling children’s author Tom Palmer. Andrew comments:

We had Tom in to give a talk on his latest book and run a workshop with some local school children at one of the libraries. It was interesting to hear how he'd actually come to books quite late in life. Apparently he'd spent most of his childhood reading magazines, and without the enjoyment of his favourite weekly and monthly titles, he might never have turned his hand to writing himself. Even now, he says he still likes to use magazines in his workshops because of the speed with which they can engage young readers. And I suppose therein lies the powers of magazines to young readers, they are a pathway to books that the Internet or smartphones might never fully replicate.

The Unique Magazines process

Are you interested in providing your customers with some of the best magazine available? We have worked with libraries for over 10 years so we know that library managers want magazine resources with as little hassle as possible.

With that in mind we have a simple four-step process, which gives you exactly what you need, when you need it.

Step One

Visit our web store to learn more about which magazines will work with your institution. Our magazines are separated by category, and when you click through to a title you will see a description about the product. If you aren't sure which magazines to subscribe to, our Primary and Secondary school subscription packages are also listed. Alternatively you can get in touch with our customer service team to discuss your specific needs and we will work to identify the magazine titles most relevant for your institution.

Step Two

Ring us on 0191 2702800 or email enquiries@uniquemagazines.co.uk, where our excellent customer service team will put a quote together for you. Our team has years of experience working with schools and teachers to identify the titles which will provide the greatest benefit to schools and students.

Step Three

Once your list of magazine titles has been created and you are happy with the selection you have chosen, we will invoice you for those subscriptions. You can choose whether your magazine subscriptions start immediately or if you wish to delay commencement until the start of a particular term.. We will liaise with publishers to provide you with accurate subscription start and end dates, as well as the first and last magazine issue numbers.

Step Four

We will manage the subscription process for you and monitor the status of your subscriptions. None of your subscriptions will automatically renew. Instead, when your magazine subscriptions are nearing their completion we will work with you to determine which magazine subscriptions you would like to renew, as well as any new magazine titles you would like to subscribe to.

Get in touch today

We've told you about our service, and now all we need to do is tell you what the next steps are so that you can take advantage of our service.

That's everything we think you need to know about our subscription management service for libraries.

We now invite you to get in touch to discuss your individual needs, and try our service for yourself. Contact Unique Magazines' John Porrett today and see how easily we can fulfil your magazine subscription needs.

Contact

Telephone - 0191 2702800

Email:enquiries@uniquemagazines.co.uk