NMRA Digital Publications Update
You spoke and we listened. Following the end of our digital publications research, the NMRA Board of Directors voted unanimously on Sunday, December 5, 2021, to move forward with a digital version of the NMRA Magazine. This decision was based on research, feedback from almost 3700 members, and discussions with each Region's leadership, the CFO, and the heads of our IT, Publishing, and Marketing Departments. That research showed overwhelming support for a digital version of our magazine alongside the traditional print option. Therefore, the decision does not mean that the paper magazine is disappearing. Life Members will receive both print and digital versions of the NMRA Magazine, while all Full, Student and Rail Pass members will receive our digital NMRA Magazine with the option to subscribe to the print version.
The entire project team is grateful for your feedback. Below are some of the major points made by our members, which we incorporated into the project scope.
You told us that you:
- Didn't like the functionality or speed of our prototype magazine. We have therefore decided to move forward with another platform used by hundreds of digital publications with better functions, feel and speed.
- Wanted the ability to download and read offline. Our chosen platform will allow you to download and read offline, giving you the opportunity to take your NMRA library with you anywhere.
- Wanted to be able to choose how you viewed content. Our chosen platform offers options including adaptive text that will allow you to read each article like a book and a portrait layout which is much better for reading on mobile devices.
- Wanted to be able to search text and index articles. Our chosen platform will offer this feature.
The NMRA is now moving into the implementation phase of this project.
We will continue to communicate and share more details with you in the coming months as we move forward with this project. If you have UI or graphic design skills you would like to offer your support to the NMRA digital publications project, please get in touch.
Gordy Robinson, MMR
President
National Model Railroad Association
