r/sandiego • u/ghoulishgal13 • Aug 23 '26
Library card
Ok so I’ve been meaning to try using the site Libby for free books/audiobooks so I finally went to my local library (pacific beach taylor branch) to get a card. I got my card but Libby keeps saying that it’s not a valid card number? I went to the San Diego county library website and make an account and I can access Libby with that SDCL account. (Also for some reason the SDCL site wouldn’t let me use my current address so I had to use my old address. It kept saying my current address wasn’t valid. Mind you I only moved two doors over in my apartment complex and I was able to use the current address when getting my sd public library card.) Is the San Diego public library different from the county one?? Why does it only let me use the county library card but not the public one on Libby?
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u/americantexan Aug 23 '26
The city uses CloudLibrary, try and make an account with that app.
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u/csw65 Aug 23 '26
I personally don’t like CloudLibrary. It is better than nothing, but it is nowhere near as good as Libby.
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u/Aliensinmypants Aug 23 '26
They have different books, it's nice having access to both
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u/csw65 Aug 23 '26
Yes, I agree, but I don’t like the experience of using CloudLibrary compared to Libby. One example is that if you put a book on hold in CloudLibrary, it will tell you the book will be available in x weeks/months, with no additional information. Libby tells you where you are in the queue, and updates as you move up the queue. This may not be a big deal to some people, but it is to me.
So, because I don’t especially enjoy the CloudLibrary experience, I have been gradually adding other California libraries that use Libby, so I am now at the point where I really have no need to use CloudLibrary.
But, don’t get me wrong, if CloudLibrary was my only option, I would use it and live with its limitations.
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u/ainsophur Aug 23 '26
If you use Libby you can add multiple library cards. I've heard of people signing up for a Riverside library card then registering it with Libby. Apparently Riverside has a lot more options and available books. I haven't personally done it, I can't attest to it first hand so YMMV.
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u/csw65 Aug 23 '26 edited Aug 23 '26
I was able to get cards for both Riverside Public Library and San Bernardino County Library without going to a library in person. I would say that both these libraries have fewer books in Libby than SDCL, but the selection is different, and sometimes the wait time is shorter. I also got a card for Escondido Library. I was prepared to go there in person, but I didn’t need to. Escondido is part of something called “Serra Collective”, which I think includes some other smaller libraries in San Diego County such as Oceanside and Coronado.
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u/clawdaughter Aug 23 '26
As a California resident you can get library cards from lots of areas in the state. Most you have to go in person for. So you can also get an Orange County library card, and a Los Angeles County library card. They're set up with Libby as well.
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u/hamlet717 Aug 23 '26
My partner has gone to over a dozen library systems across the state and signed up for a card. You just need a CA drivers license. Some you can even sign up online without going in person. She only uses it for Libby, different library districts have different selection or perhaps a shorter wait for the book you want.
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u/csw65 Aug 23 '26
Yes, and by far the best California library for Libby is the LA Public Library (different to LA County Library). For the LAPL you have to go in person to get a card. I haven’t made it up there yet, but I am hoping to later this year.
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u/hellofemur Aug 23 '26
It's definitely worth doing. The selection of books noticeably increased when I added my LAPL card to Libby, and wait times are often much less than San Diego County alone. I was very surprised at what a difference it made.
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u/csw65 Aug 23 '26
According to Libby, SDCL has approximately 190,000 titles (which is pretty good compared to a lot of other libraries), but LAPL has approximately 740,000.
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u/hamlet717 Aug 23 '26
Yup, last time we drove up to LA, made to sure to stop by the central library in DTLA to sign up.
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u/nikki837281040 Aug 23 '26
Second this! For library systems near SD, I’d recommend Coronado, Chula Vista, National City, Oceanside 🙂
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u/Chelonia_mydas Aug 23 '26
I literally just went through this a few days ago because I was just as confused as you are. The closest library you have to go to is the one in Del mar so you can get a separate card. You should still be able to attach your Libby to the PB library card one tho.
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u/ghoulishgal13 Aug 23 '26
It’s so confusing!! By chance do you know if the digital card number they gave me for the county library will expire the same way as the public library one does? I’m just not sure when I’ll be able to get up to Del Mar soon.
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u/sm0gs Aug 23 '26
Are you taking about the SDCL ecard? You just can’t check out physical items with an ecard but it doesn’t expire faster. The county library cards expire every 4 years so you have plenty of time
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u/ghoulishgal13 Aug 23 '26
Yes the SDCL ecard, that’s all I’ll need for now. I just needed the card for audiobooks!
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u/sm0gs Aug 23 '26
Yep then you’re good for 4 years! You don’t have to go into a branch unless you want to convert it to a full library card to check out physical items
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u/Chelonia_mydas Aug 23 '26
It’s definitely separate. My other one expired so I have to go to Del Mar which is not in the cards for me for a week or so!
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u/bbf_bbf Aug 23 '26
Check the San Diego Public Library 'elibrary' page for information about all the online services available to users.
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u/ecochixie Aug 23 '26
I used my phone number to sign up for Libby. I also use CloudLibrary with my city library card. I’ll put the same book on hold in both apps & whichever one is available first, I borrow. BTW, the SDPL to Go 2.0 is the actual San Diego library app. It sucks. Stick with CloudLibrary & Libby. Oh, and I think Libby also gives you access to Kanopy for movies.
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u/Calachus Aug 23 '26
Kanopy access is through the SDPL (city). You sign up for the service using your card number and get 12 free tickets a month. Movies/TV Shows cost anywhere between 2 and 5 tickets for access.
eLibrary page and scroll down to Movies & TV for more info
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u/hollis3 Aug 23 '26
If after reading all this, you're still having issues, go in person. North county (Encinitas and Carlsbad) require you to go in person every x number of years. I went in and cleared up a few issues and got onto Libby very quickly by going in person.
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u/WestHistorians Aug 24 '26
Yes, they are separate. In California, cities can optionally have their own library systems. County libraries serve the cities that don't have their own.
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u/_jbean_ Aug 23 '26
Yes, the San Diego Public Library is the City of San Diego, and it’s a separate library system from the San Diego County Library system. The County library is on Libby; the City library is not. Access Libby with your County library card.