What the Tech App of the Day: Libby
By JAMIE TUCKER Consumer Technology Reporter
If you love to read or listen to audiobooks you probably already know about the app “Libby”. If you haven’t heard about it let me be the first to say it’s an app you just need to have on your phone.
If you don’t read that much but have it on your New Year’s resolutions this free app can make it easier to dive back into the world of the written (or spoken) word.
During the pandemic, “Libby” became a favorite app for readers who couldn’t reach their public library. That’s because “Libby” is a virtual visit to your local library with all the benefits of picking up a classic or best seller.
“Libby” allows people with a library card to check out books, magazines, and audiobooks to read on a phone, tablet, or Kindle. If you don’t have a library card the app will locate your nearest public library and even help you get a card immediately by entering your phone number.
Any book, audiobook, or magazine that’s available in an e-format from your local library can be checked out for 2 to 4 weeks.
You can search the catalog when you successfully link a library card to the “Libby” app. You’ll find many best-selling novels, classic literature, non-fiction, business books, and titles for children.
Checking out a book needs only a tap on the screen. It will be delivered to the “Libby” app where you can read it. Many choices can be delivered to a Kindle device by connecting “Libby” to your Amazon Prime account.
Like checking out a book from the physical library, loans are for 2 weeks though you can renew a loan for another 14 days. After the loan expires, the title is removed from the app. There are no late fees. The title will no longer be available to read (although I found if it’s downloaded to a Kindle and you don’t restart the device, the book will remain downloaded. You should return the
book when you finish.
Also like a physical library, there are limited numbers of copies of each title and when those books are checked out, you’ll need to add your name to a waitlist. For recent bestsellers, the wait can be weeks or months. “Libby” is widely used by voracious readers.
The app is free for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. You can also visit the “Libby” and local library offerings by going to the website, www.libbyapp.com
If you love to read or if you’ve promised yourself to read more, the Libby app may be the most used app on your device.
I can’t believe it’s free.
