Getting the Most Out of the Libby App

Hi pals

I wanted to write a post here to help people interested in trying out the Libby app a little more easy. I found it pretty tricky to get used to initially, there’s still issues I struggle with but that’s just the app’s set up. Libby is a library app which makes borrowing ebooks and eaudiobooks so much easier and simpler (generally). It’s completely free, you just need to sign up to a library to use it (which often you can do online now as well)

The app helps you keep track of books you have read, books you tried but didn’t get on with, books you started but didn’t have time to finish and books you’re interested in reading. I think there are different functions for this app where you can also access journals and newspapers but I don’t currently use this function. It’s all about the books for me, babe.

1) you can sign up for more than one library card so you can get a better selection of books/media

I’m currently signed up to 4 libraries. You often don’t even need to give a different address to sign up. Some libraries give out temporary memberships online only if you do not go in. Other’s it is no issue and they will send you a library card to use. It’s strange which books different libraries have. Only one of the 4 I use has The Hunger Games as audiobooks, only one of the 4 has the Percy Jackson series as audiobooks… like popular book series that are still often being borrowed are not at many libraries.

2) consider using Libby on different devices (if you have the option)

Graphic novels or novels generally are awful to read on a phone, but listening to audiobooks is more convenient on a phone for portability.

I mainly use Libby for audiobooks and occasionally ebooks, so that’s what my experience is based on. There are some comics and graphic novels I’ve read or have an interest in reading which I think would be better to read on an ipad, vs. audiobooks are definitely better on a phone as it is way more portable so I can bring it around with me whilst I do some jobs or go into town. I’d also suggest ebooks are better on a larger reader generally otherwise you spend a lot of time squinting and zooming in and out. If you have an ipad or something similar already, then it’s pretty simple to have the app on both and switch between. But if you don’t have one yet, or a phone that isn’t compatible with Libby for audiobooks, I’d suggest thinking about how you really feel like you’d use the Libby app most. You can still listen to audiobooks on laptops/ipads etc. but they are less portable so would be more of an in-home/stationary activity.

3) the Libby app is annoying to get used to

It isn’t the best app. I like the ability to use categories to save books I am interested in. But I have issues with a few functions.

• when you have more than one library card, you can’t mass search all of them at once for a title, you have to select each one and search separately.
• sometimes they show you books they don’t even have?? I don’t know why they do this but it’s happened a few times where I’m looking for either a final book in a series or a new release and they come up but aren’t actually available to borrow. You can still put your name on to borrow it though? in case they do get a copy. I’ve tried this and so far none of the books I’ve tried this on have come back. This might be one of those times where you have to put in a request direct to the library in question.

Generally it seems the Libby app hasn’t been updated in a long time as it is quite clunky and not clear how to use.

4) how to zoom back to the start if you re-read a book

Thanks to Erica in the comments for sharing this point! There is a fast way of returning to the start of an audiobook on Libby if you have read it previously. There is a very small ‘table of contents’ tab (it really is very small, and probably why I didn’t notice it at all) below the play button there is the title of the book or chapter title/number, and the table of contents is just below that. When you tap on it, it opens up a menu of chapters which is much easier to spin back to chapter one on, rather than what I was doing before which was forever scrolling on the bottom bar.

This has improved my experience so much!

5) turn on your notifications!

I hate notifications but I’ve had to turn mine on for the app so I’m alerted to when a book I’m waiting for becomes available. The amount of times I’ve missed out on a book due to forgetting to check the app and had to wait ages for it to come back round to me is really frustrating. This is the only notification I have on though. Books or nothing.

You can nicely customise them though as I ONLY get notifications when a hold is available and nothing else. This is a page which will help you get started with adjusting your notification settings on the app.

There weren’t a lot of points I wanted to make, but I would have liked to find these things a little easier. One of the great things about using libraries is that it is free for you to use but it supports the library by showing people use their services, but also supports the authors! Everytime you borrow a book, the author get royalties. And you literally don’t have to spend any money at all.

I’ve also found that since getting library cards, it can be a convenient place to book study spaces or meeting rooms depending on what your library has to offer. Usually you have to be a member to book these spaces, so if you already have a library card or membership from using the Libby app, you’re one step ahead.

Some libraries have a lot more on offer than you realise. It’s worth checking out.

Don’t forget to leave a like and a comment, let me know your favourite and least favourite thing about Libby! Check out my youtube channel as well, I talk media analysis and chronic illness stuff mainly over there at the moment! I appreciate your support and I hope this post could help you in one way or another.

~ Artie

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