How Does Libby Work? The Free Library Reading App Explained

By the Public-Libraries.com Editorial Team · Updated October 20, 2026

Libby is the app most people mean when they talk about borrowing library ebooks. It is free, it holds the largest catalog of library ebooks and audiobooks, and it works with just your library card. Here is exactly how it works.

What is Libby?

Libby is a free reading app from OverDrive, the company that powers digital lending at most US public libraries. It lets you borrow and enjoy ebooks, audiobooks and digital magazines on your phone, tablet or computer. If you used the old OverDrive app, note that it was discontinued on May 1, 2023; Libby is its replacement, and your library card works the same way in it.

Is Libby free? What you need

Yes — Libby is completely free. There is no subscription and no cost to borrow; your library covers it. All you need is a card from a participating public library, which you add inside the app. You can even add cards from more than one library to widen what's available to you.

How borrowing works: holds and loans

Libby follows a one-copy, one-reader model, like physical books. A library buys a set number of digital copies of a title; if they're all checked out, you join a holds list and are notified when it's your turn. A few things to know:

• Loan length is your choice — commonly 7, 14 or 21 days (14 is the usual default); which options you see is set by your library.
• How many titles you can borrow and hold at once is set by your library and varies from system to system.
• Skip-the-line copies of some popular titles can be borrowed right away without a hold, for a shorter loan.
• Not ready for a hold that's about to arrive? Suspend it to keep your place in line until later.

Reading and listening

You can read ebooks right in the app and listen to audiobooks with the built-in player (adjust speed, set a sleep timer, and listen offline). Libby audiobooks play inside the app — including downloaded for offline listening — but they aren't provided as separate MP3 files you can export. Your reading and listening position syncs automatically across your devices, and you can listen hands-free in the car with Apple CarPlay.

Sending Libby books to a Kindle

In the United States, Libby ebooks (not audiobooks) can be sent to read on a Kindle or the Kindle app through Amazon — handy if you prefer E Ink. We cover the steps in send library ebooks to your Kindle.

Devices

Libby runs on iPhone/iPad, Android phones and tablets, Amazon Fire tablets, and any up-to-date web browser at libbyapp.com (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge). Loans and your place in every hold list sync across all of them.

How to get started

1. Install Libby from your app store, or open libbyapp.com.
2. Follow the prompts to find your library.
3. Sign in with your library card.
4. Search or browse, tap Borrow, and find your titles on your Shelf.

Libby is one of several free apps your card unlocks — see borrowing free ebooks, audiobooks and movies for the full picture.

Frequently Asked Questions