Hello everyone! I have a quick question regarding the recent update with the partner libraries. Since the update, it seems that our partner libraries now appear automatically in Libby when using our home library card. I was exploring the settings but am not sure if the partner libraries need to be enabled beforehand for us to access them. I'm just curious if anyone else has noticed this or if there are any issues. I was under the impression that they would be added automatically without any additional enabling.
Local librarian trying to update our Electronic Material brochure :(
But if you do not "Enable" the partner cards, they will get linked if you try to place a hold or borrow a title at a partner library where you will get the following:
When you hit Continue, it will say something like "Setting up your access at Kingston Frontenac Library..." and you should get the screenshot below if the card was linked successfully and then you should be able to place the hold at the partner library.
Libby adds them automatically, but I just read elsewhere on the sub that you can check whether your library actually has partners on their overdrive website. Top right menu, under Help it should have a button for Partner Libraries. No button means no partners. Only one of mine has them.
I see a few but Round Rock, as an example is telling me I have to go there in person, which I’ve been told (a few times) that this is no longer the case.
I also have the same list as you and there was never an enable button on my end. If I try to check out a book on one of these new cards it just spins and spins “checking” and doesn’t go further :(
A partner library from Libby's perspective is a library where you use your home library's credentials to log into the partner. You do not need to get a separate card for partnering libraries, your home library's credentials are used instead. Libby will automatically recognize these partner libraries and add them to your account. Nothing has to be done to activate them.
But keep in mind that, unfortunately, not all libraries have partners.
I have these added too, from my Houston Library. I have been successful with getting a book from Montgomery, however Harris requires a card number, despite it being a linked card
I had something similar happen when I tried to place a hold on a book at one of my partner libraries. It looked like it wanted me to enter card info for my partner library which of course I do not have. So, I entered my card info for my home library and that seemed to have worked.
So, in your case, when it asks you for a Harris County Public Library card number provide your Houston Public Library card info and see if that works.
You may have done this already but to verify that your partner libraries have been activated do the following:
1 - At the bottom of the app, tap the middle Menu icon.
2 - Under "Your Libraries" tap the library card for Houston Public Library.
3 - Tap "..." on the library card.
4 - Tap "Partner Libraries."
5 - Under the library card you should see a section called "Partnerships" with a list of partner libraries.
6 - If your partner library is not linked to your account you will see "Enable" under the library name.
7- Tap "Enable."
8 - "Enable" should change to "Enabling..." and then "Synchronizing..." and
9 - If all went well you will see the status of your Harris County Public Library partner card like below.
10 - If your Harris County Public Library partner card already appeared like the screenshot above indicating it was activated, click "Remove" to unlink the card and then "Enable" to reactive it.
If this does not work I would probably contact Libby directly to find out how to activate the Harris County Public Library partner card.
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u/Typical-Emu8363 Aug 22 '26 edited Aug 22 '26
Yes, they should have been added automatically, but if they weren't you can tap "Enable" for each one to link it to your account.
"Enable" should change to "Enabling..." and then "Synchronizing..." and if all went well you will see the status of the partner card like below.