The winter break can be a great time to pull out a neglected reading list, whether it is for your favorite novels or book recommendations by friends. Normally, this can be done by visiting the local library, but unfortunately, this is not possible when traveling for the holidays. Fortunately, there is an app called Libby, by Overdrive, which is an e-book/audiobook reader app. It’s fast, convenient, user-friendly, and because it works through library accounts, it’s 100% free to use. If you want to catch up on reading this holiday, you might want to consider the app Libby for your tablet or phone.
A screenshot of the homepage of the app Libby with the logo of sponsoring library appearing at the top. Source: Author
To get started with the Libby app, one only needs a library card. Depending on the library you are reading from, Libby has a wide array of e-books and audiobooks available to borrow and download. You can also connect several library cards, which increases the variety of books to borrow. Having multiple libraries connected to one account can allow the user to borrow or hold more titles at once.
Some libraries can only let users borrow 5 books at a time while others may let users borrow 20 at once. Additionally, some libraries may let a reader place a hold on 10 books while others may allow as many as 20.
A screenshot of the app Libby and its search feature. When browsing for “arts management” books, the first results pull up a textbook, which the user can place on hold, read a sample of, or assign a personal tag for future reference. Source: Author.
The borrowing process on Libby is straight-forward. You can browse a book by genre, popularity, or type (such as e-book, audiobook, and even magazine or graphic novel). There is quite literally something for everyone, including kids and picture books. You can also search via an author’s name or the title of the book or series.
Adding a library card or syncing up devices is simple and user-friendly. Libby guides the user through the whole process and even prompts where the icons are on a device.
A screenshot of the app Libby and the Help feature, with several tutorials to help the user navigate the app. Source: Author
Depending on the book’s availability, you can borrow the book and start reading it in as little as five seconds. However, if users are borrowing all available electronic copies of the book, then you can place the book on hold and receive an email once it’s available. Waitlists are particularly common with popular series, such as Harry Potter. Since a library may have multiple electronic copies available, however, an 8-week wait period may be shorter. Users do not have to worry about fines if they forget to return a book, since Libby will automatically return the e-book once the due date arrives.
Libby is available on phones and tablet devices from Apple App Store, Google Play, or the Microsoft Store. Previously, Libby was not available for desktops, but the app can now be accessed via libbyapp.com using Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. If you have a Kindle device that you would prefer to read from, Libby can send e-books to your Kindle device. This option is only currently available in the US, however. Audiobooks on Libby can also be streamed on Google Home, Amazon Echo, and even Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which is an extra bonus for those long car rides to visit family and friends.
A screenshot of the audiobook feature in the Libby app. Source: Author.
Libby allows the user the option to download or stream books, depending on storage space on a device or access to Wi-Fi. You can also place bookmarks or notes in the books you borrow, which can be transferred between different devices with a synchronized login. It is also possible to renew a book on Libby, but like the library-direct option, this is only if it does not have a waitlist. The instant someone else is waiting for your copy the renew option is no longer available, and you must be added to the waitlist to borrow the book for longer.
One downside to Libby is that although each library’s selection is quite expansive, there are still limits to the amount of books available through the app and all libraries are different. It’s easy to feel like you are scrolling through an online bookstore and every book you want to read will be available. Even though this is not the case, Libby libraries have wide, satisfying selections. Another downside is that not all libraries may have a Libby account; less popular library locations may not have access nor the funding for Libby. Finally, a feature Libby does not have but could benefit from is a recommendation system based on previous books borrowed, read, and completed before.
A screenshot of current audiobook titles available to borrow on the Libby app. Source: Author
I give Libby my highest recommendation, both for the app experience and for the opportunity to read on-the-go. Libby is a great way to explore new titles or find old favorites. The app is well-designed, accessible to users of different technology backgrounds, and offers the convenience of instant reading.
A summary of its pros, cons and availability is below. Happy reading to all!
Pros:
· Instant reading
· Convenience
· User-friendly
· Free to user
· Only need a library card to get started
· Wide selection of books to borrow
· Selection variety grows when additional library cards are added
· Can borrow 5 to 20 books at once
· Can place 10 to 20 books on hold, which Libby will automatically borrow and place in account once available
· Can identify or search for a book via genre, popularity, or book type
· Can sync with other devices
· Tutorials are numerous and easy to understand
· Can download a book to device or stream it live on the app
· Libraries may have multiple copies of an e-book to help reduce waitlist times
· Do not have to worry about due dates since Libby returns book automatically for you
· Bookmarks and notetaking available – also can synchronize across devices
Cons:
· May not be able to use without a library card
· Long waitlists more common for more popular series
· Can only renew a book if there is not a waitlist available
· Feels similar to an online store experience; users may be disappointed if they cannot find the book they want
· Not all libraries have a Libby account
· No recommendation system for future reads
Platforms
· Apple App Store
· Google Play
· Microsoft Store
· Chrome
· Firefox
· Microsoft Edge
· Google Home
· Amazon Echo
· Android Auto
· Apple CarPlay