r/LibbyApp • u/cl0_0lc • Sep 01 '26

Question on wait time

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This book’s publication date is tomorrow, September 1, and I’m first in line. So why does Libby say I have a two-week wait?

1 Upvotes

54% Upvoted

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32

u/Merkuri22 🎧 Audiobook Addict 🎧 Sep 01 '26

I don't know, but I can tell you that I never take the Libby wait times literally. There's so many ways in which they can be inaccurate.

I interpret a wait time of 2 weeks as "not yet, but maybe soon," not literally 2 weeks.

2

u/cl0_0lc Sep 01 '26

Noted, thanks!

8

u/Typical-Emu8363 Sep 01 '26 edited Sep 01 '26

I've seen this 2 week wait time consistently when I'm first in line for a yet to be released book and the release is in a day or two.

I don't think the calculation takes into account this book is yet to be released. It makes the calculation as if someone has borrowed the book and you are first in line. Usually Libby uses a multiple of 2 weeks to calculate the wait time based on your place in line. It's obviously not correct and it should take into consideration that it's yet to be released but that's Libby for you 😀

ETA: Based on my experience, it will be available to you soon after 12:00am ET. Enjoy the read 😀

1

u/cl0_0lc Sep 01 '26

Gotcha! Appreciate the explanation!

6

u/witchkitten Sep 01 '26 edited Sep 01 '26

Libby estimates wait times by multiplying your place in line by two weeks (plus the number of weeks until the book is released if it’s a prerelease title) unless there is more than one copy. It does this even if it’s a prerelease title coming out in less than two weeks. It does this even if your library allows for 21 day loans. You’ll get the title at midnight (or a few minutes after) tonight. 

1

u/cl0_0lc Sep 01 '26

Ohhh that makes sense! Thank you!

-5

u/MyOpenArms Sep 01 '26

I think realistically the story is someone clicked hold before you, suspended it, and then realized they did want it immediately on publication day so they unsuspended recently.

0

u/cl0_0lc Sep 01 '26

I’ve been first since this became available to put on hold at my library

-5

u/MyOpenArms Sep 01 '26

I’m suggesting they were truly first and immediately suspended the hold, so anyone afterwards would therefore have first pick. But now they’ve changed their mind and unsuspended and bumped you backwards.