BKLYN Library vs MindfulShelf
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BKLYN Library
Access and manage your library account from your mobile device. Browse physical and digital collections, manage checkouts and holds, and utilize mobile checkout features. The app also supports managing multiple library cards.
- Browse physical and digital collections
- Manage checkouts and holds
- Mobile checkout
- Manage multiple library cards
- Create booklists
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-Browse the library's physical and digital collection -Manage your checkouts, holds, and booklists. -Mobile checkout -Manage multiple library cards
MindfulShelf
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Many people read regularly, but struggle to remember what they’ve read or to collect their thoughts after finishing a book. Writing a full review later feels overwhelming, so insights are lost. This app is designed for mindful reading. It lets you create quick text or voice notes while reading, rate books, and save them to your personal reading history. Everything stays structured and easy to revisit later. Use it when: – you want to capture a thought before it disappears – you don’t want to open multiple apps or notes – you want to remember more from what you read Key features: – Quick text, audio and photo notes while reading – Book ratings and personal reading history – Clean, focused interface with no distractions – All notes stored and organized in one place The goal is simple: to read more consciously, remember more, and grow through what you read.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: MindfulShelf at every 4 days against BKLYN Library's every 5 months. BKLYN Library's advantage is chart position (#204 vs unranked). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
BKLYN Library ships an update every 5 months, MindfulShelf every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BKLYN Library | MindfulShelf |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.2 (104 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 61.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 104 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | #204 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.5 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Brooklyn Public Library | Luzhnov Kirill |
Bugs and requests
BKLYN Library
Reported bugs
13 issues- App broken, page blank, books overdue
- App stops working after a while, needs re-download
- Mobile checkout involves buffering
- Constantly signing out, need to re-enter details
- Added accounts disappear after re-login
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- App doesn't load, says not connected to internet
- App stuck on blank screen, no sign-in option
- Books disappear under Checkouts and Holds
- App is super slow and glitchy
- App doesn't load, gets stuck, can't change accounts
- App stops working after a few days, kicks user off
- Cannot get app to work on library WiFi
- Age restricted to 17+
Requested features
4 requests- Bring back location finder with hours
- Keep users logged in
- Improve branch hours/closures display
- Allow offline access to library card
MindfulShelf
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
BKLYN Library
No in-app purchases
MindfulShelf
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is BKLYN Library free?
Is MindfulShelf free?
Do BKLYN Library or MindfulShelf have ads?
Which is updated more often, BKLYN Library or MindfulShelf?
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