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Libby
Cleveland, Ohio, USA
What it is
Libby is a free app for borrowing ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and other materials from a local library. To get started, users find their library and sign in with a library card; each library sets its own card guidelines, and the titles available depend on its collection. Catalog guides, subjects, featured titles, and curated lists help with browsing. In most books, readers can change font size, layout, and lighting, and add bookmarks, notes, and highlights. Magazines offer an article mode. Audiobooks have a sleep timer and playback speed settings up to 3x. Users can download ebooks and audiobooks for offline access or stream them to save space. Libby is available on Android, iOS, and the web. It supports ebook reading on Kobo and Kindle delivery for U.S. libraries; audiobooks can play through Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Android Automotive, or Bluetooth. OverDrive says it does not sell personally identifiable information or use or disclose it for third-party advertising. Libby stores reading activity, including progress and notes, to provide the service and sync across devices.
For and against
For
- Free app for library borrowing
- Download ebooks and audiobooks for offline use
- Audiobook playback speed up to 3x
- Reading tools include notes and highlights
Against
- Borrowing requires a library card
- Available titles depend on the library’s collection
- Kindle delivery is limited to U.S. libraries
The verdict
Libby brings library ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines to Android, iOS, and the web at no charge. Its usefulness depends on having a library card and on the titles and guidelines of that library.
Who it suits
Libby suits readers and listeners who have a library card and want to borrow digital titles. It is available for users of all ages, with access shaped by each library’s guidelines and collection.
Plans and prices
Libby
Free app; borrowing requires a library card and availability depends on the library’s collection
Read 29 Sep 2026 · overdrive.com
On the record
- Audience
- OverDrive describes Libby as suitable for users of all ages and built for borrowing from local libraries.overdrive.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Audiobooks
- The audiobook player supports playback speed up to 3x and a sleep timer.overdrive.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Data collected
- Libby stores reading activity such as progress, bookmarks, highlights, and notes to provide the service and synchronize it between devices.about.libbyapp.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Device integrations
- Libby supports reading ebooks on Kobo and sending library books to Kindle for U.S. libraries; audiobooks can play through Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Android Automotive, or Bluetooth.overdrive.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Discovery
- Users can browse library-selected titles through catalog guides, subjects, featured titles, and curated lists.overdrive.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Library sign-in
- Users find their library and sign in with a library card; each library sets its own card guidelines.help.libbyapp.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Notable limit
- Kindle delivery is available for U.S. libraries only.overdrive.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Offline access
- Users can download ebooks and audiobooks for offline reading or stream them to save space.overdrive.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Privacy
- OverDrive says it does not sell users’ personally identifiable information or use or disclose it for third-party advertising.about.libbyapp.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Reading tools
- In most books, readers can adjust font size, layout, and lighting and add bookmarks, notes, and highlights; magazines have an article mode.overdrive.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Security
- Libby says it encrypts data at rest and in transit, uses a dedicated security team and server firewall, and commissions independent security audits.about.libbyapp.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Support
- Users can contact technical support from within the app through Menu > Help & Support.about.libbyapp.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- What it does
- Libby lets users borrow ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more from their local library for free.overdrive.com · read 29 Sep 2026
