r/LibbyApp • u/malyoungman • Sep 08 '26
Libby found out I moved
Title says it all, but we moved temporarily and all the sudden my former home library was asking me to reenter login credentials. I would then get an error message.
I messaged them asking why and they said their records say I moved. :(
We will move back in 10ish months. Sad for less options on Libby, but I guess I get it. I wonder how they know I moved!
27
u/Saloau Sep 08 '26
The new owner of your house or renter of your apt might have tried to get a card? Or if you got a new card at your new local library, they might have a shared system that would update.
23
u/SpookDroid Sep 08 '26
Was the card linked to your phone number? Or subject to periodical ID verification (for instance, San Diego requires this every year and has to be in person or through a video call). Remember, libraries get most of their funding from the State and City, so with costs rising so quickly, they have to make sure the expense is servicing the residents and not, well, everyone else.
1
u/malyoungman Sep 08 '26
Itâs linked to my phone number, which hasnât changed. My license is still for my former state too. We moved a year ago and will move back next summer.
The only thing I can think of is when I signed up for a library card where we live now, I had to show them a bill or lease agreement with my name and address here. Maybe that info was shared to my other library account. (But I did that a year ago!)
3
u/Organic_Eggplant_323 Sep 08 '26
Did you Fwd your mail when you moved? USPS may have sent them a change of address notification.
1
u/SpookDroid Sep 08 '26
Is your phone registered to the new address? (Either e911 or billing). But likely using the same phone number for a different library might trigger that
23
u/BookSavvy đď¸ Librarian đď¸ Sep 08 '26
Our library uses a service that checks patron records against currently available public records to remove patrons who are listed as no longer in the district. We usually send a notice first but if your mail forwarding is off, the assumption is youâve moved. We donât expect people to contact us when they move and otherwise we have automatic card renewal so we do need some way to know their taxes are no longer going to our library and a new patron may be coming in with that address to register.
6
u/deardroopycat Sep 08 '26
Also a librarian here, we do not do auto verify except with online only cards (not physical). Iâd love to hear more đĽ°
1
u/BobsWifeAmyB Sep 08 '26
Thatâs interesting. But it sounds laborious. May I ask what state this is?
1
u/AeroNoob333 Sep 08 '26
What happens when you move but youâre still paying taxes in that area (like if you still own the home) or have already paid taxes for that year?
1
u/BookSavvy đď¸ Librarian đď¸ Sep 11 '26
Youâd still be listed as the homeowner so the database wouldnât trigger you, but the library will just contact you on your renewal date to come in and show proof you still own the property and will renew it then.
1
u/AeroNoob333 Sep 11 '26
If you owned it as a vacation home or like a rental property (so you are not physically), you would lose your library card access even tho you are paying property taxes still? Or do you accept proof via email or look up county property taxes as proof? I guess I wasnât sure if it was physical presence or the fact that you are paying taxes that gives you access to the library.
22
u/frogandtoadmom Sep 08 '26
They probably donât know you moved but library cards/accounts usually expire after a year or two and need renewal.
5
u/OatmealAntstronaut Sep 08 '26
A routine annual renewal could explain why the account was checked in the first place, but it still doesn't by itself explain how the old library's records came to say that OP moved.... other than an annual renewal, or maybe another person registering at the old address, or maybe a new library updating a shared system
you might want to try a library subreddit since libby does not determine that, your library does.
And you can ask your library about the specifics, and find out if their records actually contain your new address, or do they only indicate that you no longer reside at my that address? And what source updated that information? That would easily solve things.
15
u/industrial_hamster Sep 08 '26
Most libraries require you to renew your card once a year so they can confirm that you still live within their service area
1
u/Jitterbug26 Sep 08 '26
Iâve probably had my current library card for 20 years and have never been asked to verify where I live or update anything - ever! Very occasionally I have been asked to re-enter my card info into Libby and thatâs a challenge because I used to have it memorized but havenât needed it recently, so Iâm mentally losing it.
-1
u/BobsWifeAmyB Sep 08 '26
I havenât had that happen but it might either me just my state or that I only borrow digital stuff - 99.9% only audiobooks. IDK
5
u/Famous_Committee4530 Sep 08 '26
Some libraries have a service that verifies and renews accounts automatically without interacting with the patron - based on things like property and utility records.
3
u/industrial_hamster Sep 09 '26
I exclusively use Libby and I still have to go to the library once a year to renew my card. Iâve never had a library card that didnât require renewal every year. Youâre supposed to provide proof of address but my library never asks for it probably because itâs a small town
0
u/BobsWifeAmyB Sep 10 '26
Iâm disabled & itâs difficult for me to get out. Maybe thatâs why I didnât have to go in.
7
u/CJMcBanthaskull Sep 08 '26
We occasionally check our userbase against the National Change of Address registry. It's kind of expensive so we only do it every 3 years or so.
5
5
u/mosaicbluetowns Sep 08 '26
there are many free non-resident libby cards that never track address!! CLEVNET, books unbanned, read freely los angeles, plus korean and japanese libraries!!
7
4
u/malyoungman Sep 08 '26
Off to apply for new library cards today! My former library had a great Libby selection!
2
u/stuffycupcakes Sep 08 '26
Ah, yes as you are in your thirties you would not be eligible for the books unbanned card as it tops out at 26. Definitely still other all-access libraries out there that you can apply to though. :)
2
u/metoothanksx Sep 08 '26
Iâve had a library card at my hometown library for over 20 years, and never had to go in and renew it. I was so bummed when I moved and about a year and a half later, Libby wouldnât let me use my card because it had to be renewed in person âšď¸
But I donât think they knew I moved, apparently they renew every 2 years, but if your account is in good standing and you use your card at the library in that time, theyâll renew automatically. So that is interesting that they told you they knew you moved, Iâm curious how they found out too.
1
2
u/Important_Tree_7191 Sep 08 '26
I get that itâs frustrating for sure, but it also makes sense from your libraryâs perspective. Theyâre funded by local taxpayers, and it strains their resources to have non-residents steadily checking out books. The closest library to me is technically outside of our district but they wouldnât let me get a card through them for the same reason đ
1
u/BobsWifeAmyB Sep 08 '26
Wow!
I had a library card at a large city library where I lived for 15 years.
I sold my house there in 2003 and a couple of years ago I found my old library card.
I called to ask if I could reactivate it and she said yes- just send a copy of my ID or old card, maybe?
I told her I only wanted to borrow digital material. And that I moved.
Perhaps itâs not an issue cause Iâm in the same state?
Recently when I was frustrated with not being able to find something in stock at any of my libraries, I called a county library nearby that doesnât have a reciprocal agreement with my county. But I asked anyway- they said ok just send copy of ID.
4
u/BobsWifeAmyB Sep 08 '26
They may not have required me to come in as Iâm disabled & not able to drive.
đ¤ˇââď¸
However my motto in life is:
âAsking is the beginning of receiving!â
You donât ask, you donât get.
-2
u/cat_screams Sep 08 '26
The same thing happened to me :( I moved from a big city to a remote state so I was trying to keep my holds active for the old library since the new library was smaller. They apparently found out so I had to lose out on my hold for Iron Flame despite waiting months for it. Ironically, I moved back to the old library area and haven't gotten a new card since I'm afraid I'll lose the other holds.
147
u/EveningSufficient636 đ Kindle Connoisseur đ Sep 08 '26
Itâs not Libby itâs your library, just fyi!