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Libby Tips & Tricks

Readers’ choice: 19 of your favorite features in the Libby app

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Have you tried the Libby app yet? Like your public library, Libby is filled with shelves of ebooks, audiobooks, and digital magazines — plus a lot of fun and friendly features to customize your reading and make it even more enjoyable.

With so many fun features, we wondered, what do you love most about Libby? We polled readers on social media, and they reported back on a few of their favorite things, and like raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, there was a lot to love. Not everything was included below, but we pulled the top answers that came up again and again.

If you’re new to Libby or even if you’re a super-user, check out users’ favorite features and you just might learn a new trick that will take your reading to the next level.


Automatic returns = no late fees

Automatic returns = no late fees

When is the last time you were asked to do literally nothing? With Libby, your book will return itself after the lending period, so nothing to keep track of and no late fees.


Deliver later

Deliver later

You might be a fast reader or listener, but when all those holds come in at once, there isn’t enough time in the world (though wouldn’t that be nice to just read all day long?). If you’re not ready to borrow a title, you can have it delivered later. Delivering the hold later preserves your hold on the title and passes the available copy to the next person in line.


Read with Kindle

Read with Kindle

Kindle readers, rejoice! You can read most Libby books on your Kindle ereader (available in the U.S. only). Here’s how to send books you borrow in Libby to your Kindle.


Recommend a book to your library

Recommend a book to your library

When searching in Libby, you may run across a book that isn’t available in your library’s collection. These titles will have a Notify Me button. Tapping Notify Me will alert you if one of your libraries purchases the title at a later date.


Changing audiobook playback speed

Changing the audiobook playback speed

You’ve got places to go and audiobooks to listen to, so you want that pace cranked up! Or maybe you’re savoring the story and want to sink into every detail... then you’ll want to slow your audiobook down. Learn how to change the playback speed so it’s just right for you.


Skip-the-line books

Skip-the-line books

If you see a skip-the-line book, it’s your lucky day! With this feature, your library has set aside special copies of popular books that may have a lot of holds, and you’ll know you’ve found one when you see a book marked with a shamrock icon. Learn more about the unique circulation rules of skip-the-line books.


Flowers for early returns

Flowers for early returns

Finished a book early? Return it early! After you return the title, tap the bouquet on your screen for a surprise. The more books you return early, the more flowers you’ll get! 💐💐💐


Multiple library cards

Multiple library cards

Depending on where you live, you might have access to multiple library collections. It’s worth checking around in your area to see what’s available to you, then add them in Libby! Searching across multiple libraries gives you access to even more books.


Changing the color of library cards

Changing the color of library cards

Now that you’ve added all of your library cards, you can change the color of the cards if some are too similar or you’re just into aesthetics. You can also rename your library cards to reduce confusion if you’re sharing a device with a family member.


Checking hold times

Checking hold times in Libby

Speaking of having access to multiple libraries... did you know you can tap the library card icon next to a title to see if it’s available or has a shorter wait list at another library?


Tagging

Tagging

If you like to stay organized, tags are a great way to keep track of the books you want to read or what you’ve borrowed. If you want to get fancy, learn about smart tags that are automatically created to keep track of certain titles for you.


Changing text size

Changing text size

My super thick glasses and zoomed in screen monitors mean I’m not messing around when it comes to text size. Luckily, I can change the text size of a book I’m reading in Libby by simply dragging the Text Scale slider. For a wider range of text sizes, toggle Include accessibility sizes on.


Dyslexic font

Dyslexic font

In addition to adjusting text size, you can also change the font to OpenDyslexic that some people may find easier to read. There are also several other accessibility features you can turn on to increase readability.


Copy to a new device

Copy to a new device

Got a new tablet and want to set up Libby? Usually read on your tablet, but want to add Libby to your phone? Save time setting up Libby on another device so you can devote those extra minutes to more reading.

If you're already using Libby on one device, you can use a setup code to easily copy your library cards, loans, holds, and tags to another device.


Sleep timer

Sleep timer

Libby can be a soothing bedtime companion that lets you drift off while listening to an audiobook. Before the stories send you off to dreamland, choose when to have the audiobook automatically stop playing with the sleep timer. You can have it stop at the end of a chapter, or a preset amount of time.


Dictionary

Dictionary

Don’t cause a foofaraw if you don’t know what a word means. (foofaraw • \FOO-fuh-raw\ • noun. 1: a disturbance or to-do over a trifle : fuss.)

Just learn how you can define words in Libby so you can keep on reading and expanding your vocabulary.


Automatic downloads

Automatic downloads

Life hack: Download an ebook or audiobook before getting on a flight or going somewhere you know has spotty Wi-Fi.

You can manage your download settings and choose whether ebook and audiobook loans download automatically after you borrow them, and whether they download when you're not on Wi-Fi.


Customize your Libby

Customize your Libby

To customize, tap the menu. Tap the Libby icon at the top of your screen and choose from five different skin tones.


Find books in multiple languages

Find books in multiple languages

Many libraries have books available in multiples languages in Libby. You can pin a language filter, so you'll only see titles in your preferred language when you browse or search your library.


That’s only the tip of the iceberg! What’s your favorite feature in the Libby app? Tell us by taking the survey in the Libby app under “Help & Support” in the menu and let us know what you love or what you’d like to see in future updates.

📧 Subscribe to Libby Life for app updates and tips to enhance your reading.

RELATED READ: Hidden gems: Libby app features you may not know about

Published May 14, 2024

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About the Author

Annie Suhy has been working in the book industry since 2006. When she’s not working, practicing yoga, or petting cats, she’s doing paint-by-numbers and buying more plants. An avid poetry fan, her favorite collection is "The Splinter Factory" by Jeffrey McDaniel.

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