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Unlock a Treasure Chest of Audiobooks and eBooks… with Libby (and a little strategy)
If you’re not using the Libby app yet, you’re missing out on one of the best-kept secrets for audiobook and eBook lovers.
It connects you to your library’s digital collection — for free — and works like magic on your phone, Kindle, or tablet.
But here’s something a lot of people don’t realize (I just researched this for myself):
You aren’t limited to just your local library.
Many libraries across the country offer memberships to non-residents — sometimes free, sometimes for a small fee — and they can unlock MASSIVE audiobook and Kindle book collections through Libby.
For example:
• I just picked up a Queens Public Library card for $50/year.
(Their audiobook and Kindle eBook collection is huge — way bigger than my local options!)
• Other top libraries like Houston Public Library, Fairfax County Public Library, and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library also offer non-resident cards if you want even more options.
• You can add multiple libraries to your Libby app and search across all of them at once for the books you want.
Bottom line:
If you love audiobooks, eBooks, or you just want way more choices without constantly buying new stuff — look into getting extra library cards.
A little bit of strategy can save you a ton of money and give you access to an endless stream of amazing content.
Happy reading and listening!
#Libby #Libraries #Audiobooks #Ebooks #PersonalDevelopment
MissSiesta
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RexLibris
Can confirm! I have 3 libraries on my Libby. Also: try Hoopla from your public library. A very different selection of books than Libby.
SpaceCadet360
Borrowbox for the Brits 👍 It's not perfect, but there are 1000s of audiobooks and library membership is free!
FartyMcDaniel
Libby is great… but why do they put such low limits on checking out ebooks and audiobooks? I’m sure there are legal reasons, but it seems like there should more than 2-3 copies of digital material available.
variantXer0
Unfortunately the government department responsible for funding Libby got DOGEd last month, so the app’s days may be numbered.
Hawkgirl203
Not only books but magazines too.
Kinboat
Free Library of Philadelphia is open to any resident of Pennsylvania, free library card available on their website www. freelibrary. org
ZombeyHepburn
Love Libby and Hoopla. I introduce EVERYONE to it. Going to look into Fairfax!
eastend666
My library is part of a large library network. When I use Libby it doesn't direct me to my library's Ebooks; I instantly have access to the whole network. I thought this was the norm, but maybe not.
Slash0mega
i have been mostly using hoopla, but i should poke at libby more.
Itslibbytime
Reading this is extremely confusing for me
dogstarlove
#1 seems cheaper than audible
Judgementalwizard
Libby is great! I listened to over 60 audiobooks last year. That number will be lower this year due to getting involved in larger, longer books
thespaceghetto
I'm in that same boat. Started the stormlight archive series a couple months ago and they are hefty
Judgementalwizard
Particularly the last one in the arc, 63 hours or something. That was the only time I had to schedule listening time so I could finish it before it was due back. I hope you enjoy them, it's a great series with tons of amazing moments
thespaceghetto
Thanks. I'm a quarter of the way through oathbringer and still all about it. Sanderson is one of the best worldbuilders I've encountered
dobgreath
Kanopy is like this but for movies. Free movies with your library card.
TsukariYoshi
I really hope that you made the addition from the plagiarism machine (and that you apparently don't see the sad, sad irony of using it to promote a library) and not them, because if Libby really did release that image, I have zero trust in their company due to their being willing to try to advertise a library with that word-salad-ass bullshit.
Voojagig
Oh well this has nothing to do with me, it's obviously for trees.
IMoveWithTheEleganceOfAnAfricanElephant
It never occurred to me to look outside my community for a library card to use on LIbby. My library has just 2,600 audiobooks and 15k books available. They've only got one quarter of one Stephen King book available as an audiobook, and no Kurt Vonnegut, for example. It's wack. Thanks, OP! I'll see about borrowing my girlfriend's first and then paying if the Bronx's is left wanting.
Yepitsme2718
Ive been using Libby to listen to all of Stephen King. I have 3 libraries connected and they still don't have them all.
TypicallyVigo
....how or why do they have 1/4 of a Stephen King book? Like, is that it's intended form or did they have The Stand on cassettes and lost most of it or something?
IMoveWithTheEleganceOfAnAfricanElephant
Sorry for the wait - they had a digital version of the audiobook of Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, which is a quarter of his book "Different Seasons." The book also includes "Apt Pupil," "The Body" (AKA Stand By Me) and "The Breathing Method."
thespaceghetto
Also think about asking friends or relatives living elsewhere who might not use these services. I have my mom's card in my account because she only checks out physical items
QueenOfTheFey
Oooh thats smart. I should find someone to share with me
LotionStar
Love Libby! Besides my local library I also have a e-card to the Broward County in Florida. It was FREE for a year and less than $40 to renew!
dbsweeney
For tree!
VodkaReindeer
if only there was a bay for audiobooks...
rfleming1080
The problem I have with online libraries is the same problem as brick and mortar ones. They only have a small number of available copies, which just doesn't make sense.
Jdsalamander
I fall for this every few months somebody posts it. It never works for me. What am I doing wrong
Affray
I had a bitch of a time figuring out how to get things logged in and set up. It's a tough startup but one you're in it's very nice.
WellWellWellLookWhoItIs
Impossible to say without more detail about what happens when you try.
abbeyrosemama
I wasn’t able to get books on my kindle with Libby and a city library card, I had to go get a county library card. Took a while to figure out. Maybe ask a local librarian?
JimFromMarketing
Guys I'm pretty sure the library pays for access to the digital content....
You're use of Libby in another city is costing them
JiffyPopPhantom
Hoopla is great too. A lot of public libraries have that as well
mdb9937
Hoopla seems to have a lot of variety when it comes to books as well.
thespaceghetto
Super underrated imo. I've taken years off from audible because of these two apps, especially since Libby allows for more than one library card.
azgrak1
Hoopla is even available through your Amazon fire stick to stream movies and TV. Decent selection too.
m6514309
I don't want to sound like a doomer but you may want to be prepared to switch to Libby/Overdrive if you have access to both-- Hoopla is much more expensive, and if your local library runs into budget issues (and with IMLS being gutted, it will) it's probably going to be cut.
reabyeknom
Loved hoopla. No reserving, no waitlists. Local library went from 10 loans a month, to 5, to two, then dropped everything. Now I have Libby. . . And a lot of waiting.
JiffyPopPhantom
I have all 3! My wife is a librarian. Thank you for the heads up though!
daliamonra
There are issues with Libby and it is limited in titles. Also book publishers severely screw over libraries with how much they charge them for the books on Libby and they only get so many uses of the book before they need to renew it. They pay 5 times what a person would for the book and it has a limited number of checkouts before they need to buy it again. Screw the publishing companies for being the greedy bastards they are.
HypoMix
That I think depends on Library and legal framework you live in.
CrisprCAS
What is that text? For tree? First guestion?
BeckyLookAtHerButt
Think of the trees!
astromoondoggie
You act like you’re never to a libratie brefor
gambrill
Yeah man, for tree. lol You’ll get over it.
CrisprCAS
I don't know man, maybe I expect a library app to be literate.
gambrill
You’ll be fine.
MagicalScientist
Looks like almost semi-competent AI which. Eurgh.
RestlessVagabond
"libraties" "for tree" "guestion" These errors and lack of oversight to fix them is concerning me more than it is inspiring me.
ColonKoala
Thank you haha. For an app promoting literacy, I'm concerned
Ayaneko
Honestly, it looks like AI generated. judging by the "audio/books" that is visually broken and overlapping. it all screams AI generated/altered.
RestlessVagabond
More than likely. But someone still chose to put it out there into the world as is.
immabearrawr
If you're active military or civilian federal employee you have access to the MWR Libby which is massive.
JacenHorn
👆🏻 This
HelpfulCorn
Do retirees or dependents get access? My mom would love that
PocketCleric
I dont see why not
oldwindy
Does she have a DOD ID number? If yes, then she can use MWR library.
kodiak931155
Assuming you mean American military?
Crazy hows much you guys forget about other countries existing.
Leaps
The original post is about American libraries, it already set the context for the conversation.
immabearrawr
Sorry, I also assumed Libby was an American library service (is it?).
kodiak931155
No worries. Its more of a thing i find funny than pet peeve.
I have it in canada for sure. I can also confirm it will work across borders as i have both canadian and american cards on it.
In the end though most of the time I just sail the seven seas
immabearrawr
Awesome to know and I'll inform my Canadian friends!