- What Libby gives you for free
- Where you can use Libby
- The catch: your library sets the rules
- How to get a library card through Libby
- A tip if your library's wait list is long
- Is Libby the same as OverDrive?
- Borrowing, holds and returns
- Free alongside Libby: magazines
- Notifications worth switching on
- Frequently asked questions
Yes, Libby is completely free. Libby's own help centre says the app is free to install and every title you borrow from your library there is free, with no plans to sign up for, no in-app extras and no late penalties. The one thing you need is a library card.
Libby is made by OverDrive and connects you to your public library's digital collection of ebooks, audiobooks and magazines. Because it's your library lending you the titles, the rules on what you can borrow and for how long come from your library, not from Libby. Here's how it works, what limits to expect, and how to get started if you don't have a card yet.
What Libby gives you for free
- Ebooks, digital audiobooks and magazines from your public library.
- Streaming or downloads: read or listen on Wi-Fi or mobile data, or download for offline use.
- Nothing goes overdue: Libby says digital titles return themselves on their due dates.
- Several libraries in one app: you can add more than one library, and more than one card for each.
Where you can use Libby
| Device | How to get Libby |
|---|---|
| iPhone and iPad | Apple App Store, iOS 10 or later |
| Android | Google Play, Android 7.1 or later |
| Fire tablets | Amazon Appstore, newer models |
| Windows, Mac or Chromebook | In your web browser at libbyapp.com |
Libby suggests using the latest version of Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge on a computer.
The catch: your library sets the rules
Libby is free, but it isn't unlimited. Libby's help centre says your library chooses which digital titles it offers, and it sets the lending rules, such as how long you can borrow a title and how many you can have at once. That's why a popular book may have a waiting list at one library and be ready at another.
Two more things worth knowing. Libby only works with public libraries that use OverDrive, so if you can't find yours, it may not have a collection there yet. And Libby is only for digital titles, so it won't show your library's physical books.
How to get a library card through Libby
- Download Libby and find your library.
- At the top of your library's home screen, tap I Would Like A Card.
- Choose Visit Library Website or Use My Phone Number and follow the prompts.
- If neither works, ask at your nearest public library.
- Add the card in Libby and start borrowing.
Libby says each library has its own rules for getting a card, so the steps after that depend on where you live.
A tip if your library's wait list is long
Because you can add more than one library card, adding a second library you're eligible to join gives you a second collection and a second queue. Libby supports several libraries and several cards in the same app, so you can switch between them without logging out.
Is Libby the same as OverDrive?
It's the same content. Libby says you'll find the same free titles in Libby, on your library's OverDrive website or in the older OverDrive app. Libby is just the newer, simpler way to borrow them.
If you mostly listen, my guide to the best audiobook apps shows where Libby fits next to the other options, and my list of Audible alternatives includes it too.
Borrowing, holds and returns
Once your card is added, Libby's getting started guide explains the routine. You can borrow titles straight away or place holds, and everything you've got sits on your Shelf: loans, holds, your activity timeline, notices and magazines.
- Offline by default: in the mobile app, loans download automatically when you're on Wi-Fi.
- Automatic returns: loans return themselves on their due date, so nothing is ever overdue.
- Return early: tap Manage Loan to see the due date and a Return Early button, which frees the title for the next person.
- Holds: the Holds tab shows your place in line.
- Tags: tag a title to keep track of it for later.
Libby also says that at US libraries, you'll see the option to send most ebooks to Kindle instead of reading in Libby. If you prefer reading on a Kindle, check for that button on the loan.
Free alongside Libby: magazines
Magazines are the part of Libby people forget. Libby's guide says magazines sit on a Magazine Rack on your Shelf, and you tap one to start reading. Like books, what's offered depends on your library's collection.
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Notifications worth switching on
Libby's Shelf has a Notices tab for in-app alerts about your loans and holds, and you choose what you're told about under Menu, then Notifications. Switch on alerts for holds becoming available, because a popular title is easy to miss if you don't check the app for a few days.
One more habit that helps: return titles early once you've finished. The Return Early button frees the copy for the next person in the queue, and the same courtesy from others is what keeps your own holds moving.
My verdict: Libby is free, and it's one of the best free reading apps there is. Get a library card, add it in Libby, and use a second library card if the wait times are long.
Frequently asked questions
Is Libby completely free?
Yes. Libby's help centre says the app is free to install and every title you borrow there is free with a valid library card, with no plans, in-app extras or late penalties.
Do you need a library card for Libby?
Yes. Libby says you need a library card for each library you want to borrow from, and you can add several libraries and cards.
Why does Libby have wait lists?
Your library chooses which titles to offer and sets its lending rules, including how many people can borrow a title at once and for how long.
Can I use Libby on a computer?
Yes. On Windows, Mac or Chromebook, you can use Libby in your web browser at libbyapp.com.
Can I return a Libby book early?
Yes. Libby says you can tap Manage Loan to see the due date and a Return Early button. Loans also return themselves on their due date.
Does Libby have magazines?
Yes. Libby's guide says magazines appear on a Magazine Rack on your Shelf, and the titles on offer depend on your library.
