Covid-19 has changed many things, including the way we shop. Rather than go from store to store to look and compare, we now turn first to our computers. Sometimes, we complete the entire purchase without ever laying eyes on the item we’ve just bought.
While online shopping is great for many items, when it comes to major purchases like computers, appliances or cars, buying sight unseen is much more daunting. That’s where Consumer Reports can help.
A non-profit organization dedicated to educating and protecting consumers, as well as testing products for quality, CR’s monthly print magazine and subscriber website are trusted sources of accurate product information.
Algonquin Area Public Library District is proud to offer Consumer Reports’ online database to our card-holders. To find it, start at aapld.org and select the Virtual Library drop-down menu. Choose Online Resources. Here, you’ll find an alphabetical list of all the databases the Library offers. Scroll down to Consumer Reports Online, click the link and enter your AAPLD library card number. From here, you can search articles and ratings for thousands of products.
If you’re not an Algonquin library card holder, you can access Consumer Reports Online at our public computers at the Main Library on Harnish Drive, and at the Eastgate Branch.
Issues of the print magazine from the current year are kept with the periodicals at both the Main Library and Eastgate, and are available for check-out, except for the current month’s issue. You’ll also find print copies from the last two years and the current year behind the Adult Services Reference Desk at the Main Library. These are for in-library browsing only.
Want to know more? Give us a call or reach out on chat. An Adult Service staff member will be happy to help.