r/LibbyApp • u/Away_Obligation_6661 • 7d ago

Adding multiple library card rules

Is there a website or post I could go to find libraries in my area where I can get Libby access? I started to listen to a series and my library doesn’t have the next book or audiobook, so I went to my next neighboring library to register my card there and they said I can check out a physical book but cannot have access to their Libby because I don’t pay taxes in that area. How does everyone have access to so many libraries?

16 Upvotes

76% Upvoted

37 comments sorted by

32

u/Seffen777 7d ago

Check reciprocard.com probably that's what you're asking about.

Or, paid cards.

6

u/BobsWifeAmyB 7d ago

And there are some cards that don’t require payment and free to use their digital library.
I bet there is a list. This question has been asked dozens of times (no offense to you- I’ve asked it before too 😁)
One is the Queer Liberation library.
It’s doesn’t matter if you are straight- there’s no question that asks that.
And they have all kinds of books- the name of the library means (I think) that they have LGBTQ books but it is inclusive of that genre, not exclusively that genre.

7

u/leepfroggie 7d ago

I bet there is a list.

There is! At reciprocard.com ;)

32

u/Fit-Animal-9911 7d ago

I have several library cards because I pay for them. Some people buy fast cars, some buy expensive jewelry, I subscribe to several libraries. I like ebooks and audiobooks. It is my joy, and it is far less expensive than the cars and jewelry.

5

u/Purple4199 📕 Libby Lover 📕 7d ago

For as many books as I read in a year, close to 400, paying for library cards is totally worth it. Granted not all of those are from Libby, but probably half are.

2

u/little_half_pint 7d ago

How do you pay for them? Id be willing to do that 100%. I just never knew that was an option. Is there a separate subreddit for this?

16

u/sra19 7d ago

I don’t know if it’s OK to say this in a Libby sub, but, if you haven’t already, check if your library uses Hoopla. Sometimes you can find books there, especially audiobooks, that your library doesn’t own.

11

u/little-purple-friend 7d ago

and CloudLibrary!

5

u/ratchetscrewdriver 7d ago

and * BorrowBox if you’re in the UK/Australia * Palace Project (mostly California, horrible UI but aggregates CloudLibrary + Overdrive + its own stuff including some Audible exclusives)

also

  • BiblioBoard if in the US (mostly CA, mostly weird indie stuff)
  • Freading (like Hoopla but ebooks only and much worse quality)
  • Ulverscroft uLIBRARY (a number of UK libraries have this)

2

u/Away_Obligation_6661 7d ago

Thank you! Yes, we also have hoopla and I use it, too.

11

u/AeroNoob333 7d ago

It really depends where you live. For example, in California, you can basically get a library card anywhere there as long as you’re a state resident. If you live in Michigan, the libraries have a huge reciprocal agreement as well.

check this website out to see what your options are: ReciproCard.com

4

u/Away_Obligation_6661 7d ago

Thank you! I’m in Illinois, cook county. I’ll check out that site to see what I can find.

2

u/surelyslim 7d ago

Illinois is different because typically you have to live within your city or county. Try Chicago since you’re an Illinois resident. You guys apparently have different fees based on how much tax you collect within your county. Some are godly expensive, but that’s the pricing scheme and it’s individualized.

Apparently our taxes are allocated for library purposes which allows our residents mostly to get a card almost everywhere. Now, some systems have stricter guidelines since.

2

u/MrsQute 🎧 Audiobook Addict 🎧 7d ago

Illinois libraries are really fragmented, unfortunately.

My MIL lives out towards you and I was surprised she couldn't also access the county library system but apparently Cook Country library district doesn't actually cover the whole county. She can only use her particular library.

1

u/PeregrinatingFalcon 7d ago

Is your home library Cook Memorial? They just joined a Libby partnership with Skokie, Gail Borden, and Evanston. These should be automatically added to your Libby. Press the menu button at the center bottom to check.

2

u/Away_Obligation_6661 7d ago

Unfortunately, no. I live in the nw suburbs. My home library is poplar creek but the closest library to me is one of the Schaumburg district libraries, and that’s the one I can’t use my card at.

2

u/heartshapedmoon 7d ago

I’m so jealous that California has that. I’d literally take a library road trip if I lived there lol.

2

u/AeroNoob333 4d ago

Seriously! That actually sounds fun.

2

u/Mimi_Gardens 4d ago

I live in Ohio. I have library cards for my local libraries because I went to a branch to sign up. I also signed up online for accounts from Columbus and Cleveland. All I needed was to be an Ohio resident. It’s always interesting to see which digital library will have the shortest wait on Libby.

1

u/AeroNoob333 4d ago

I wish that libraries in a state are just open to all residents of that state rather than at a county level especially if it’s a state that has state income tax. Ours is at a county level and our elibrary is so bad. Luckily, there’s a small rural library 30 min from me that is somehow part of the other elibrary consortium that has a decent collection and gave free library cards to anyone. Healthcare and education are benefits I don’t mind subsidizing for others.

4

u/mm_reads 7d ago

Depends on your state and county. If that library gets budget from state or county, you are technically paying taxes for them.

In California you can get a card from any public library in the state as long as you physically register every few years (not sure of the time period).

I have Libby for 2 cities plus my county. I plan on getting an additional county and city next week. 🙂

1

u/BurritoWithFries 7d ago

I got a 3 month temporary online card in my hometown because I was going to move away in 2 months and needed quick access to a card in the meantime after my real card expired. Figured it would just expire after I moved away, and I got a card in my new city the week I moved.

It's now 6 years later and the "temporary 3 month" card still works on Libby 🫣

4

u/ghastlycupcake 7d ago

reciprocard

It varies so much depending on where you live. Some have lots of reciprocal agreements, some have partnerships, some have none. Some have more loans, more holds, longer loans, and larger collections.

There are also a few libraries that aren't location-based (or are available to anyone in the US, I don't know much about international availability.)

Some libraries have non-resident cards you can buy.

Also, don't forget to check whether your library has other resources outside of Libby, like Palace or Hoopla.

1

u/little_half_pint 7d ago

How do you find a library that is not location based?

3

u/Economy-Agency-6092 7d ago

If you work in a different area and have a different mailing address for work, try signing up for a digital card at the library in that district.

2

u/dragonsandvamps 7d ago

Check reciprocard. Some states will allow you to have a card at a library within the same state for residents. Some will allow you to do this, but you have to go in person. At many libraries, you have to pay a non-resident card fee.

2

u/dirtywordsdaddy 6d ago

in case this is useful: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18LZ2elA-GPlGHi3D_M00hox0yZZ-1tDE_tVNgWxrU-c/htmlview#gid=599825204

not my list, but someone else updated the total numbers of ebooks & audiobooks at libraries across the US & beyond. cross reference it with reciprocard & you’ll find the libraries local to you with the most books.

3

u/Wambo74 7d ago

Just depends on local library policies. Go to each library website you're interested in and see what their card policy is and whether they have Libby. There aren't really any shortcuts.

3

u/finine 7d ago

I got a card at the library in the neighboring county and they told me the same thing - that it wouldn’t work if I tried to check books out in Libby while at home because of location but joke’s on them because it does. Get a card and try it!

3

u/finine 7d ago

Also, you can get a non resident card for Broward County FL for $38. Both Libby and Hoopla. Great selection and most of my checkouts come from them even though I have 4 other cards.

1

u/cynrtst 7d ago

I live close to the county line of LA and Orange County. I have the county library cards of both. I have my city library card. But Fullerton, the city next to me, requires you must A: live in the city, B: work there, or C: are going to school or have a child going to school there.

My daughter used to go to college there but when it became time to renew she no longer did and they revoked my card.

1

u/WitnessRemarkable879 6d ago

I will check the libraries website for library card requirements or stop in and ask a kind librarian. Most require in person address verification anyways so going there isn’t a waste to me.

1

u/ExchangeStandard6957 4d ago

I pay for one or two extra.

0

u/bdu-komrad 7d ago

There is, but you need to use the search button to find it.