Libby and Other Library Apps: Borrow Ebooks and Audiobooks for Free

If you only learn one reading trick as a student, make it this one: your library card is a pass to thousands of ebooks and audiobooks, and an app can put them on your phone in minutes. Libby is the most widely used app for this, but it is not the only option. Together, library apps can save you hundreds of dollars a year.

This guide explains how library apps work, how to set them up and how to deal with waiting lists. Libraries and apps vary by country and change over time, so check your own library's website for details.

How library apps work

Libraries buy or license digital copies of books and audiobooks. An app connects your library card to that collection. You borrow a title for a set period, read or listen, and it returns automatically. Because libraries license a limited number of copies, popular books can have waiting lists, just like print.

You pay nothing per loan. Your library funds the collection through taxes, fees or institutional budgets.

Step 1: Get a library card

1. Check your public library and apply for a card. Many libraries offer an online application, with temporary access while you wait for a physical card.
2. Check your university library, which may offer digital collections and reading lists.
3. Look for extra cards: some regional and national libraries offer cards to residents of a wider area.
4. Keep your card number and PIN safe for the app.

Students sometimes qualify for cards in more than one place, such as a home and a campus location. Check each library's rules.

Step 2: Set up Libby

1. Download the app from your device's official store.
2. Search for your library and sign in with your card number and PIN.
3. Browse or search the collection.
4. Borrow or place a hold.
5. Choose how to read or listen: in the app, or send an ebook to a compatible e-reader where available.
6. Adjust loan length and notifications in settings.

The app lets you read offline once a title is downloaded, which is handy for commutes and flights.

Holds, waiting lists and loans

• Borrow now if a copy is available.
• Place a hold if it is not. You will get a notification when it is your turn.
• Check the estimated wait, which shows how long it might take.
• Use the automatic borrow option, if offered, so that you do not miss your turn.
• Choose a loan length that matches how fast you read.
• Renew if you need more time and nobody is waiting.
• Return early when you finish, which helps the next reader.

Plan ahead for books you need for class. Place holds as soon as you know the reading list.

When the wait is too long

• Try another library card, if you have one.
• Check Hoopla or similar services, which may have instant access.
• Look for the audiobook version, which may have a shorter queue.
• Search for a different edition or format.
• Ask your university library whether it has a copy or can borrow one.
• Check for a print copy on reserve.
• Ask your instructor for an alternative reading.

Other library apps and services

Check your library's website for a list of digital services. Some libraries offer magazines, newspapers and learning platforms too.

Reading on different devices

You can read on a phone, tablet or computer, and in some regions on an e-reader. Adjust the text size, font and background for comfort. Audiobooks let you listen while commuting or exercising. Use sleep timers and speed controls to match your preferences. Our guide to best audiobook apps covers listening in more detail.

Using library apps for study

Library apps are best for leisure reading and some course texts. For academic study:

1. Check whether your course book is available as a library ebook.
2. Remember the loan period, and finish before it expires.
3. Take notes outside the app, since highlights may disappear when the loan ends.
4. Note page numbers or locations for citations, and check that they match the edition you need.
5. Ask your subject librarian for academic ebook platforms.

If a book is essential, a print reserve copy or a purchased copy may still be better.

Privacy

Libraries take reader privacy seriously, but check the app's settings. You can usually control reading history and notifications. Use a strong PIN, and log out on shared devices. Library apps do not have to track what you read for advertising, which makes them a good choice for private reading.

Making the most of a short loan

A two or three week loan feels long until the semester gets busy. Skim the contents first, decide which chapters matter and read those before anything else. Set a reminder a few days before the due date. If you need to cite from the book, write down the page or location numbers as you read, and export or copy your highlights early. If you did not finish, place a new hold and pick up where you left off when it returns.

Audiobooks and accessibility

Library audiobooks are a good way to cover long reading lists while you walk, cook or commute. Use playback speed to save time, but slow down for dense material. Most apps offer sleep timers, bookmarks and chapter navigation. Library apps also offer accessibility features, such as adjustable text, dyslexia-friendly fonts and screen reader support, so check settings if you need them.

Supporting your library

Libraries rely on usage to justify their budgets. Borrowing digitally, leaving feedback and suggesting titles helps them buy what students need. If you can, join a library friends group or donate books you no longer need. A strong library is one of the best long-term investments any community makes.

A quick guide to troubleshooting

If the app will not load your library, check that you typed the card number correctly and that your card has not expired. If a book will not download, check your internet connection and storage, and try again on Wi-Fi. If a title disappears, the library may have removed or reached the end of its license, so place a hold or look elsewhere. If your notes vanish, it is usually because the loan ended, so export early. When in doubt, contact your library's digital help desk, which can often fix card and account problems quickly.

Building a reading habit with free books

Free access removes the main excuse for not reading. Set a small daily goal, such as twenty minutes or ten pages, and keep a book ready on your phone. Use holds to line up your next read, so you never run out. Mix assigned reading with something you choose, and let yourself abandon books you do not enjoy, since there are plenty more waiting in the catalog.

Common mistakes

• Waiting until the last minute for course texts.
• Not placing holds early.
• Forgetting to download titles for offline reading.
• Losing notes when loans expire.
• Ignoring other libraries you could join.
• Not returning books that others are waiting for.

A quick checklist

• Do I have an active library card and PIN?
• Have I installed Libby and checked my library's other services?
• Have I placed holds for upcoming reading?
• Do I know how to export or save notes?
• Do I have a plan for long waiting lists?

Final thoughts

Library apps turn your card into a free digital bookshelf. Set them up once, place holds early, keep notes safe and use a second library or service when queues are long. Few student habits save more money for so little effort.