Libby
Libby is a free app and web service (from OverDrive) for renting digital books from local libraries. Over 90% of public libraries in North America have OverDrive, and Libby can be found in 78 countries worldwide. You sign in using the library card you get from your local library. Books aren't freely available - you have to join a queue and wait for other users to make a book available before you can borrow it (as the library has a license for a limited number of copies). Libby has no paid subscriptions or in-app purchases. The app includes a book reader and audiobook player, and syncs your reading progress across devices.
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Here are the latest news about Libby:
18.12.25. AI audiobooks have come to Libby
AI-powered audiobooks have appeared in Libby - an app that connects public library cardholders with their libraries' ebook and audiobook collections. For some audiobook listeners, the loss of the human touch of a real person is devastating. So, if you're looking to avoid AI, here's how to spot AI-powered audiobooks in Libby. Go to the search bar and search for two specific terms: "Digital Voice" and "Synthesized Voice." This will display all titles that use artificial intelligence narration, commonly referred to as digital or synthesized voice. The narrator will be listed in the book details. Books that use AI will list the narrator as "synthesized voice" or "digital voice."
2025. PocketBook eReaders get Libby integration
OverDrive and Pocketbook have released Libby app for PocketBook e-readers. This app allows users to borrow e-books and audiobooks from public libraries. For now you can download ebooks to read them offline, but the press release states that a web browser is required to listen to audiobooks (recall, that Kobo also does not support downloading audiobooks from libraries using Libby). The app also allows users to manage their accounts and use multiple library cards simultaneously. Currently, the app is only available for PocketBook Era Color, but it is promised to become available for the entire PocketBook e-reader and e-notes lineup soon.
2025. Libby has revamped its Hold system
Libby, a popular online app for free access to books from your local library via e-reader or phone, has made significant changes to its hold system. In Libby, if the e-book or audiobook you want is already in use by other readers, you can place a hold on it. This means you join the queue and when it's your turn (the book becomes "available"), Libby will notify you that you can borrow it. How can an e-book be held? As it's not a physical book. The reason is that the library purchases the rights to e-books from the publishers with certain number of licenses (e.g., 3 copies). Previously, Libby allowed to "suspend" this hold for 7–180 days (thus you could stay in the queue but skip your spot while you are busy). Now the system has changed: if you suspend a hold, you must remove the hold yourself, otherwise it will simply "expire" in a year.
18.12.25. AI audiobooks have come to Libby
AI-powered audiobooks have appeared in Libby - an app that connects public library cardholders with their libraries' ebook and audiobook collections. For some audiobook listeners, the loss of the human touch of a real person is devastating. So, if you're looking to avoid AI, here's how to spot AI-powered audiobooks in Libby. Go to the search bar and search for two specific terms: "Digital Voice" and "Synthesized Voice." This will display all titles that use artificial intelligence narration, commonly referred to as digital or synthesized voice. The narrator will be listed in the book details. Books that use AI will list the narrator as "synthesized voice" or "digital voice."
2025. PocketBook eReaders get Libby integration
OverDrive and Pocketbook have released Libby app for PocketBook e-readers. This app allows users to borrow e-books and audiobooks from public libraries. For now you can download ebooks to read them offline, but the press release states that a web browser is required to listen to audiobooks (recall, that Kobo also does not support downloading audiobooks from libraries using Libby). The app also allows users to manage their accounts and use multiple library cards simultaneously. Currently, the app is only available for PocketBook Era Color, but it is promised to become available for the entire PocketBook e-reader and e-notes lineup soon.
2025. Libby has revamped its Hold system
Libby, a popular online app for free access to books from your local library via e-reader or phone, has made significant changes to its hold system. In Libby, if the e-book or audiobook you want is already in use by other readers, you can place a hold on it. This means you join the queue and when it's your turn (the book becomes "available"), Libby will notify you that you can borrow it. How can an e-book be held? As it's not a physical book. The reason is that the library purchases the rights to e-books from the publishers with certain number of licenses (e.g., 3 copies). Previously, Libby allowed to "suspend" this hold for 7–180 days (thus you could stay in the queue but skip your spot while you are busy). Now the system has changed: if you suspend a hold, you must remove the hold yourself, otherwise it will simply "expire" in a year.
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