libbyapp.com

December 3, 2025

What Libby (libbyapp.com) Is and Why It Matters

Libby is a digital library app developed by OverDrive, Inc. that lets people borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines straight from their public library. It’s free to use if you have a valid library card from a participating library system. The idea behind Libby is to make the public library’s digital collection accessible on phones, tablets, or in a web browser without needing to step into a physical library.

In practical terms, if your library offers services through Libby, you can search for and borrow digital content just like you would a physical book — but it stays on your device until it’s due, and then it automatically returns so you never have late fees.

Libby is widely supported across library systems in North America and beyond. It’s designed to simplify how people access digital collections and replace older library apps that were more clunky or harder to use.

How Libby Works

Libby connects your device to your library’s digital catalogue using your library card. Once signed in, you can browse and borrow digital material. Think of it as a bridge between your library’s e-collection and your personal reading or listening device.

Here’s the basic flow:

1. Install and Open: Download Libby on your phone or tablet, or go to the Libby web app on libbyapp.com.
2. Find Your Library: Search for your public library in the app and select it.
3. Sign In: Enter your library card number (and PIN if required). Libby then links to your account.
4. Browse and Borrow: You can search for titles, browse curated lists, or explore categories chosen by your library.
5. Read or Listen: Once borrowed, titles can be streamed or downloaded for offline use.

Borrowed items are “checked out” like a physical book. They’ll disappear from your device when they’re due, but Libby won’t charge you for late returns — that’s built into the system.

Key Features of Libby

Ebooks, Audiobooks, and Magazines

Libby’s core function is to give patrons access to ebooks and audiobooks. But many users overlook that magazines are also part of the digital collection if your library supports them.

The catalogue varies from library to library. One system might have thousands of titles; another might be smaller. That’s because individual libraries decide what content to buy or make available.

User-Friendly Interface

Libby’s interface is designed for everyday users. Navigation is simple: there’s a search function to find specific titles, a library view to browse collections, a shelf to see your loans and holds, and a tags section for organizing items you want to check out later.

Holds and Waitlists

If a book or audiobook is currently checked out by someone else, Libby lets you place a hold. You’ll be notified when it’s available. This mirrors how physical library holds work, just in digital form.

Offline Reading and Listening

Once you borrow something, you can download it to your device. That means you don’t need an internet connection to read or listen once it’s downloaded — useful for travel or commutes.

Multiple Library Cards

You’re not limited to one library. If you have library cards from more than one system, you can add them all to Libby and access all those collections from one place.

Accessibility and Personalization

Libby includes features to make reading easier for people with different needs:

• Adjustable font sizes and lighting modes (including sepia and dark mode).
• A dyslexic font option for readers who prefer it.
• Screen reader support and keyboard navigation for people who rely on assistive tech.
• Adjustable audiobook playback speeds and sleep timers.

These options help make digital content more accessible to a wide range of users.

Behind the Scenes: Who Makes Libby?

Libby is built by OverDrive, Inc., a company that’s been in the digital library space for decades. They also operate other services like Kanopy (for video streaming) and Sora (for school libraries). OverDrive licenses digital content from publishers and then makes it available to libraries, who in turn offer it to patrons through apps like Libby.

While Libby is free for users, libraries pay licensing fees to OverDrive to access and distribute these digital titles. This model means libraries can provide ebooks and audiobooks without charging patrons directly.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Libby

Using Libby is intuitive, but here are a few practical things to keep in mind:

• Deep Search: If a title doesn’t show up in a normal search, Libby’s Deep Search function can sometimes find it in participating libraries.
• Manage Holds: If your holds all come in at once, you can delay delivery so they don’t overwhelm your shelf.
• Return Early: You can return digital items early to make them available to others sooner.
• Use Tags: Tags let you organize books and audiobooks you plan to borrow later.

Limitations to Be Aware Of

Libby gives you access to whatever your library has purchased or licensed. If a title isn’t in your library’s collection, you can’t borrow it — unless another library in your account has it.

Also, borrowing limits (like how many items you can check out at once) are set by your library, not Libby itself. Libraries make those policy decisions.

Libby is strictly for digital content — it doesn’t handle physical book checkouts. You’ll need to use your library’s normal system for physical items.

Key Takeaways

• Libby is a digital library app that lets you borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines from public libraries for free with a library card.
• You can read or listen on a phone, tablet, or in a web browser, with options to download for offline use.
• Navigation and browsing are built for ease of use, including search, shelf, and tags.
• It supports accessibility features like adjustable text and playback speeds.
• Libraries pay for content access; users get it for free with their card.

FAQ

Do I need to pay for Libby?
No. Libby itself is free to use, though you need a library card from a participating library to borrow content.

Can I use Libby without a library card?
You can browse the app without a card, but to borrow and read/listen, you’ll need to sign in with a valid library card number.

What devices work with Libby?
Libby works on iOS and Android devices, and you can also use it in a web browser on computers.

Can I read Libby books on Kindle?
In many cases you can send borrowed ebooks to Kindle devices, though this depends on your library and title compatibility.

Does Libby replace physical library visits?
Libby handles digital content. For physical books and other materials, you still need your library’s traditional checkout systems.