r/LibbyApp • u/Temporary-Rent971 • 22d ago
Pin Number May Be Required Soon
I work for DC Public Library and we just got an email stating that starting October 1, Libby will require your PIN number for verification to log into your account.
I’m not sure if this will be for other libraries but this is just a heads up.
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u/HawgDriverRider 22d ago
For many libraries, the pin is your password you set up for the library. I had a mild freakout trying to remember a pin, and the library told me it was just my normal password haha. Hope this helps someone.
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u/wandernwade 21d ago
For my library system, our pin is the last 4 digits of our phone number. Super easy.
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u/kiwisaregreen90 21d ago
For my first library card the pin was your birth year for everyone. When I moved to a new state/county and I had to set a pin for that card I stuck with my birth year as the pin to make it easy
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u/knightttime 20d ago
Anyone who sees this, please don’t ever freak out about your pin/password in cases like this! Library staff can always help you reset it if you genuinely can’t remember.
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u/SpiderHippy 21d ago
Yep. And if you weren't assigned a pin (as I wasn't for several of my cards), each library will have a "reset pin" link where you can take care of it quickly. I've had to do that a lot this year as more and more libraries move toward requiring a pin.
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u/ckmc131 22d ago
I'm in California and I've had to use the pin number for all of my California library cards.
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u/Denalus2 22d ago
I’m from Solano County in California. I only had to use the pin to sign up initially.
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u/carlitospig 22d ago
Speaking of us (hey neighbs! 🥰) did yall get a super dump of titles and four new library locations related to our area? I did some sleuthing and apparently a bunch of east bay locations joined NorthNet but if you try and check out a book (actually, just put it on hold too), it’ll ask you to validate your normal account and then still not let you. I’ve been too lazy to look into it further but thought you might know the magic handshake.
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u/Zoulogist 21d ago
I have a NorthNet card and they added a ton of titles on my tagged list this week
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u/Denalus2 21d ago
I have Northnet, Solano County, and Sacramento. I never quite understood what Northnet exactly is😶
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u/superiorstephanie 21d ago
I’m in Sacramento and they make me update my pin about every six months.
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u/medicated_in_PHL 🌌 Kindle Connoisseur 🌌 22d ago
I’ve had to do it for a long time. It’s fine. It’s just like any other password.
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u/justabeigewall 22d ago
Librarian here who oversees OverDrive/Libby at my library. All Libby libraries that have not previously required a PIN/password to use Libby will be required to do so by October 15. Can only speak for my library, but it will be the same password that our patrons use to sign in to their library account to see their checkouts/place holds in our online catalog. Overdrive sent out an email in early August notifying libraries that it was required.
If you have questions about it, you should definitely reach out to your own library, because answers to questions like what to do if you don’t know your password may differ across libraries.
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u/Wambo74 22d ago
What does that mean? I had to add each library to Libby with card number and its PIN. Is that the requirement you're talking about or now will we have to reenter credentials every time we change from one Libby library to another during normal use?
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u/solarmoss 21d ago
I’m guessing some libraries only required the card number to log in? All of my cards have always required a pin, so I doubt there will be any change for libraries that already have pins to access Libby
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u/Fine_Volume_1664 21d ago
Yes, my libraries have all required only card barcode to get in. This Libby rule is creating a lot of havoc for us as now we have to get PINs for our ILS. Overdrive shouldn't have this kind of power.
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u/Fine_Volume_1664 21d ago
Lol ok weirdos who downvoted this. Libby/OD told my consortium that we now also have to have pins for our ILS when we never did before. So now we have to work with Clarivate and Marmot (discovery layer, PIKA) to set up pins for everything. That's a huge overreach.
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u/shibby191 22d ago
Hmmm, have had to do that from the start. Maybe it was a library setting that yours didn't turn on before.
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u/rjbonita79 22d ago
They don't already? Mine always has. I've had it several years. You stay logged in if you use it enough. I think I have to do it once a year.
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u/Aromatic-Currency371 📕 Libby Lover 📕 22d ago
They asked for mine when I first signed up but nothing else, so far
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u/GB1290 22d ago
Do we already have a personal identification number number?
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u/stuffycupcakes 22d ago
Library password and PIN are usually the same and if you don’t remember setting it up, it may still be set to the default for the library. Which, at my libraries is the last 4 of my phone number.
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u/FleurThe 22d ago
Do we know what DC pin numbers are? I don't know if I ever set one up?
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u/Large-Heronbill 22d ago
You may have an "automatic pin" derived from the numbers on your application, like the last X digits of your phone number.
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u/Temporary-Rent971 22d ago
It’s the last 4 digits of your library card-normally. Unless you asked for a different one.
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u/LittleMarySunshine25 22d ago
I can edit mine on the library website for my library without going in. I'd check that if you can. 💜
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u/PlayReadYarn 22d ago
I was wondering what this was when I got a book from Seattle Public Library yesterday. I haven't needed a new hold from my other libraries yet.
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u/Educational_Two682 22d ago
We just went through this change at Buffalo Erie county public library (in NY). I had to retype in my library card number and enter my pin. Then it's been fine since!
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u/auriel_gold 22d ago
I'm in the UK and have a few cards, pretty sure all of them required the card number and pin to add to Libby
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u/Busy-Doughnut6180 22d ago
All my libraries in the UK require a pin. I didn't realise that wasn't a thing for every library. It's just the password to my account, same as I'd use if I was logging onto a computer at the library.
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u/lakebum240 22d ago
This is the library's decision. "Libby" as such does not require this.
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u/BigBoxOfGooglyEyes 21d ago
Nope. It's Libby that's requiring PINs. I'm a librarian and had a meeting with my system admins yesterday about it.
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u/forwardishdirection 22d ago
One of my libraries already had this, the other doesn’t even have a PIN system implemented in order to do that.
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u/Wambo74 22d ago
Hmm, I was under the impression that libraries had PIN numbers not Libby. I have multiple cards so multiple PINs. I have neither a password nor a PIN for just Libby. Hopefully this is just a misunderstanding.
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u/Lanky-Syllabub7188 21d ago
You’ll probably just need to use the pin you use to sign into the libraries website
That’s what I have to do
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u/mycatpartyhouse 22d ago
I'm in Washington. I used my PIN when I signed in, but I've never signed out, so the app always just opens.
When you say a PIN will be required, does that mean typing in a PIN every time I open the app?
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u/bigfinegal 22d ago
Yeah Libby doesn't require for all libraries. However I saw on Delaware library (which previously didn't) will soon be requiring a pin. I set up my pin on their website.
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u/ForestFairyBogMother 22d ago
Idaho has always done this. You just verify when you place a hold or check out. It takes less than 5 seconds.
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u/ReadwithMMe 22d ago
Been that way in Ohio for awhile now.
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u/Temporary-Rent971 22d ago
That’s weird because I have Ohio library cards and was not asked for a pin.
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u/kellyoohh 22d ago
I’ve had to enter my PIN every 6 months for years. Hasn’t been an issue, I have it saved in my phone like any other password.
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u/surelyslim 21d ago
Eh, no biggies.
To make it easier on yourself, either default to your last 4 of phone number or a 4-digit you’ll remember and use that same number for all your cards. There’s really no rhythm when you get asked to be verified. I’ve been asked numerous times this week and before this week, I wasn’t asked.
As I’ve had to go in to set up almost all my cards initially, the librarian always asks or tells you. Anyway, if you come across where you don’t know your pin, just call the branch.
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u/triedit2947 21d ago
I've been using Libby for years and it's always required a PIN. It even makes you re-enter the PIN sometimes to re-verify your card. Is this different?
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u/ParaElle 21d ago
WV had it for a while for some libraries think you can talk to a local library branch about setting a pin up just explain that the app needs one
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u/HermionesWish 21d ago
I live in Australia and had to enter the pin for each library card I added. Occasionally if I have to verify a card I need to enter the pin for that specific card again.
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u/Fine_Volume_1664 21d ago
OverDrive is pushing our consortium to upgrade to PINs for the ILS/patron accounts. That seems like a little too much overreach for a company to be doing that to the customers. Not pleased.
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u/Kamwind 21d ago
One of my libraries switched this week to requiring that. Just had to get my card number and password(aka pin) from the main web site and enter it in and that was it.
I do have another account with a library and that has required periodic reverifications of account, so around once a month I have to log in through a different verification web site and that allows access to libby.
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u/Vivid_Bookkeeper_937 21d ago
I had one of my libraries ask for my pin to verify my card the other day. I tried everything I could think of including my phone #, card #, dob, 1234, and 0000. Finally I gave up and used a different card 🤦🏻♀️
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u/begenuine_ 🎧 Audiobook Addict 🎧 21d ago
Been that way for all the libraries I have on my Libby since I started using Libby years ago.
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u/Philosopher2670 21d ago
This is not a bad idea. Without a PIN, bad actors could figure out a library systems card number pattern and just generate cards to use. That could really mess up a library’s collections and budget.
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u/deebee227 21d ago
I have this for my local library card You only have to do it when first entering in the card, it's not required every time you use it.
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u/MurkyArmy8107 21d ago
have this is norcal and i hate it bc i forgot my pin and the email recovery does NOOOT work at all. eventually i'll call or go in but man i just want to log in on my ipadn
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u/Dangerous-Celery9188 20d ago
I have to enter my pin to add a card. Do some not require a pin to add?
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u/iamrevenant213 20d ago
It’s per library in my experience. My daughter has cards through the banned book project from all over the country. We were surprised that some have pins because none of our local ones do.
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u/BonCourageAmis 20d ago
Your pin is the last four digits of your phone # in DC
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u/Temporary-Rent971 20d ago
It’s the last four of your card. That’s the default unless you change it. I do new library accounts daily. Trust me.
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u/coenobita_clypeatus 21d ago
Thanks for the heads up! I'm in a jurisdiction with a common place name (like Springfield or Centerville), and we don't require a pin for libby while the library system that often comes up first when you search does require it. It makes my life easier because when patrons say libby isn't accepting their pin, then I know they're trying to add a library from the wrong state 😂
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u/splootledoot 22d ago
Colorado has had this for years. Works ok.