Reading can be quite an expensive hobby. Constantly buying new books can add up, especially if you’re a fast reader. When I was young, libraries were one of my favorite places in the world. This sentiment has stayed with me as I’ve grown up. Having access to free books was something that I found and still find to be very valuable. Libraries provide many amazing resources to the public that should absolutely be taken advantage of.
Now, there is a new, modern way to to connect with libraries in your area: the app Libby!
Libby connects you with your local library and gives you access to free audiobooks and ebooks. All you need is a library card. Different libraries have varying policies on how you can get a library card, but many allow you to get a card directly in the Libby app by using your phone number. If you already own a library card to a library, you can also just use that and get immediate access.
Once in the app, Libby gives you access to copies of audiobooks and ebooks that your library has available. Depending on the popularity of a title, a library might have a significant amount of copies of each book. There are times, however, when all of the copies of a book are in use. If this is the case, you are able to place a hold, which puts you in a line of people waiting to borrow the book. Once it becomes available, you will have access to the book.
After you borrow a book on Libby, either immediately or after placing a hold, you have 21 days of access to the audiobook or ebook. During this time, you have free access to whatever book you have chosen to borrow. You are also able to renew your loan on a book if you are not finished with it in the timeframe.
This app is available on many devices, including your phone, tablet, computer or Kindle. This makes reading incredibly accessible. If you download the app on your phone, you can read pretty much anytime, anywhere. Though physical libraries are an amazing resource, if you’re looking for a book to read immediately, it can be easier to just look on the app and read the book on your phone instead of traveling to the library.
There are also a few useful features inside the app, like a feature to search for a word/ phrase in a book and features to bookmark pages or highlight sections.
Personally, I’ve found Libby to be an incredible resource. My personal favorite part of the Libby app is the access to audiobooks. Other apps that offer audiobooks like Audible require you to pay for a subscription to the service and each audiobook. With Libby, even though you might have to wait a few days for the title you want, you are able to listen completely for free.
Libby and libraries in general are great resources that should definitely be taken advantage of if you’re a reader. Offering an inexpensive way to read is very valuable, which is why Libby is now one of my favorite ways to pick up a new book.