Reading books is one of life’s great rewards, but in today’s increasingly distractible environment, it can be challenging to find time for books. In this read-more-books series, I’ll share the tips and tricks I use to read at least 50 books a year without feeling like I’m reading that much at all.
Tip #3: Use Libby with your local library. Libby is an app available for iOS and Android that allows you to download ebooks and audiobooks for free with your local library card. The app comes from Overdrive, the leading electronic book distributor used by libraries worldwide. Libby’s collection totals nearly five million books at my local library here near Seattle, though your mileage may vary depending on your own library’s investment in digital books. Once you download the app and add your library, you’re free to search and download available books on the spot.
While you can read books in the Libby app on your phone or tablet, most books are available on Kindle, which I find a much more comfortable reading experience. Once you’ve checked out a book, look for the button to open on Kindle. You’ll be taken to an Amazon page to pick your Kindle device, and voila!, the book is now on your Kindle. Any highlights or notes from your borrowed book persist even after the loan period ends. You don’t have to worry about saving or exporting before returning the book.
Libby also provides access to full-length, unabridged, professionally-narrated audiobooks which you can play right from the app. These are the same books you find on a paid service like Audible.com.
If you’re like me, you’ll be amazed at this incredible reading resource available to everyone for free. I am reading more books because Libby has taken away the cost constraint that otherwise might have prevented me from pulling the trigger. With Libby, I don’t have to worry about buying a book I won’t end up reading.
And then there are the cost savings. Before Libby, my book spending per month totaled $100 per month between physical books, Kindle books, and an Audible.com subscription. Since Libby, my book budget has dropped by 75%. For big readers, using Libby and your local library represents a meaningful improvement in your finances: in my case, nearly $1,000 per year.
There are a few downsides to consider: like any other library loan, you only have a certain number of days to read your borrowed book and wait times can be lengthy for popular or rare books. In some cases, the book you want to read won’t be available for Kindle, and the titles available vary widely across public libraries. Also, Libby doesn’t talk to Goodreads, so you’ll end up managing your to-be-read books in both places.
Here are Four tips for making the most of Libby:
- Plan Ahead with Holds. Unlike Amazon’s Kindle store, not every book you’ll want is immediately available. The most popular books have waiting periods before you can borrow them. But with a little planning, you will soon be awash in great books to read. Just crack open your Goodreads to-be-read list, and start searching for these titles in Libby. With a couple of taps, the book will soon be yours to read for free.
- Connect with Multiple Libraries. The chances are good that you have access to more than one library system. In my case, I have library cards for King County and the Seattle Public Library. You can add all your library accounts to Libby to widen your search for books and borrowings.
- Manage your Holds with Suspensions. Remember all the holds you placed on books you want to read? Well, one of the disadvantages of borrowing a book from a library is the limited lending period. If more than one book comes available at the same time, you might not be able to read them all in the time allowed. That’s where hold suspensions come in. A hold suspension enables you to keep your place in line but allows the next reader in line to borrow it in your place. As soon as you’re ready to borrow the book, cancel your suspension, and you’re automatically next in line. These suspensions can be extended as often as you want. This is an important Libby management tool to make sure you have the right book at the right time.
Suspensions hold your place in line - Extend Loans with Airplane Mode. Book borrowing periods vary by library. Mine offers a 21 day loan. If you approach the end of your borrowing period and you haven’t finished the book, you can request a borrowing extension. However, this only works if no other reader has placed a hold on the book. If a hold has been placed, you either need to finish the book in the allotted borrowing time, or wait for the title to be available again through a second hold. On Kindle, the book will automatically be deleted at the close of the borrowing period. However, should your Kindle be operating in Airplane Mode (i.e. no connection to cellular or WIFI), the borrowed book will stay on device while you finish those last 15 pages. I haven’t had to take advantage of this hack yet, but there have been a few close calls when I was comforted to know the option existed.
The Libby app has helped me read more and save money along the way. If you’re already a user, what has been your experience? Let me know in the comments section.
Happy reading!