Making the switch to Libby: The library reading app | by OverDrive (2024)

Download the free Libby app on iOS devices, Android devices, or Fire tablets, or visit libbyapp.com on your computer browser.

For help getting started or to find more answers to your questions, check out our Switching to Libby from the OverDrive app quick step help articles and instructional videos.

The OverDrive app was discontinued on May 1, 2023. To continue using your library's collection, you need to switch to Libby. Libby continues to add new features and make updates based on reader and librarian feedback. Libby offers many unique features and options that were not available in the OverDrive app. We hope you'll give them a try.

Features unique to Libby include:

• A central Shelf: Loans and holds from all your libraries are automatically added to your Shelf  .
• Improvements to navigating book series:Easily find the next book in a seriesfrom search results, title details, and your Shelf.Libby makes it easier than ever to discover books in a series.
• Unlimited tags:Create custom tags to categorize books however you’d like, and use Libby’s smart tags to track what you've borrowed or get notified about new issues of your favorite magazines.
• More notification options:Get push notifications on your mobile device (or emails fromlibbyapp.com) for available holds, expiring loans, and more.
• Access to more content with Libby Extras*:Get access to extra learning or entertainment resources (like Kanopy, Craftsy, Universal Class, and more) from your library.

  *At participating libraries only

In Libby, you can create a wish list smart tag to sync your wish list from the OverDrive app and your library's OverDrive website. You can also create other tags in Libby to organize books however you want.

Learn more aboutimporting your wish listandusing tagson Libby Help.

If you have used the OverDrive app or an OverDrive library website, you may be familiar with the Recommend to Library (RTL) feature. Libby offers a different way for you to discover and express interest in titles that your library does not yet offer. Learn more on Libby Help.

Note: Not all libraries currently offer this feature.

On mobile devices, Libby automatically downloads loans for offline reading when you’re on Wi-Fi (to reduce data usage) by default. Download settings can be adjusted in the app to better suit your needs.

Note:Offline reading is not available when you access Libby in your web browser atlibbyapp.com.

Learn how to change your download settingson Libby Help.

Yes!

Kobo

You can continue to browse for, borrow, and read library ebooks directly on your Kobo ereader. Learn more on Libby Help.

NOOK

You can uselibbyapp.comtodownload ebooks and transfer them(via Adobe Digital Editions) to an ereader.Learn more about transferring ebooks to ereaderson Libby Help.

Kindle

If you have a Kindle reader, you can send books to your Kindle (U.S. only) from Libby on a supported device, like an iPhone, Android tablet, or computer.

Learn more about your Kindle options on Libby Help.

Visithelp.libbyapp.comforFAQs, how-to articles, andvideosabout using the app.

In Libby, you have many options to find content you want to borrow:

• Tap at the top of your library's home screen or from lists and search results to choose from a variety of sort and filter options. You can even pin your favorite sort and filter options.
• Browse the library’s lists and guides to view titles by audience, subject, or format.
• Hide lists of titles you’re not interested in.
• Refine searches and lists.

Learn more about browsing and searchingon Libby Help.

Yes,you can update your lending period when you borrow a book in Libby. To do so, tapBorrow, then tap the loan period on the confirmation page.

When you’re browsing search results or a list, select to see if it’s available at any of your libraries.

If you have used the OverDrive app or an OverDrive library website, you may be familiar with the Recommend to Library (RTL) feature. Libby offers a different way for you to discover and express interest in titles that your library does not yet offer. Learn more on Libby Help.

Note: Not all libraries currently offer this feature.

On mobile devices, Libby automatically downloads loans for offline reading when you’re on Wi-Fi (to reduce data usage) by default. Download settings can be adjusted in the app to better suit your needs.

Note:Offline reading is not available when you access Libby in your web browser atlibbyapp.com.

Learn how to change your download settingson Libby Help.

Libby supports major screen readers (like VoiceOver and TalkBack), offers built-in accessibility settings, and automatically uses many device-wide accessibility settings (like resized text).

Visit the“Accessibility” category on Libby Helpto learn more.

Instead of downloading audiobooks in parts, you can update yourdownload settingsin Libby to manage which loans get downloaded to your device automatically.Libby is very efficient at streaming portions of the audiobook as they are played. A network connection is required for streaming.

Learn how to change your download settingson Libby Help.

In Libby, you can create a wish list smart tag to sync your wish list from the OverDrive app and your library's OverDrive website. You can also create other tags in Libby to organize books however you want.

Learn more aboutimporting your wish listandusing tagson Libby Help.

Yes, you you canset up and manage push notifications(for the Libby mobile app) or email notifications (forlibbyapp.com). You can get notifications for available holds, expiring loans, new magazine issues released, and more.

Learn more about setting up notificationsfor Libby.

Yes, in the Libby reader, select theAppearancesetting , then chooseDarkmode.

And, if you use dark mode on your device, Libby will automatically use that lighting mode when you’re browsing your library.

To see your reading history in Libby:

• Visit your “Borrowed” tag on yourShelf . This tag is automatically applied to all titles you borrow in the app.
• Visit yourTimeline to see all your activity (loans, holds, returns, etc.) in the app.

Note:You can choose to disable your reading history on your Timeline, if desired.

Your borrowing history from the legacy OverDrive app and OverDrive websites will appear on your Timeline in Libby. Learn more here. You can also export your history from your library collection or your list of downloads in the OverDrive app for your own records.

If you have an Amazon Fire tablet, you can download Libby from the Amazon Appstore.

If you have a Kindle reader, you can send books to your Kindle (U.S. only) from Libby on a supported device, like an iPhone, Android tablet, or computer.

Yes, you can uselibbyapp.comtodownload ebooks and transfer them(via Adobe Digital Editions) to an ereader.

Learn more about transferring ebooks to ereaderson Libby Help.