How to Get Free Audiobooks With Just a Library Card and an App
Sometimes friends and family don’t understand why I don’t mind long drives, whether it’s a long vacation visit or a short trip to return something someone forgot at my house. The secret is, no matter how long the trip, there’s never been a better time to get lost in one of my favorite pastimes: audiobooks. A special app gives me access to more books than I need with a simple library card and can do the same for you.
Audiobooks were my addiction right out of college, and I discovered a new need to occupy my brain on my commute to work and during my lunch breaks. Throughout my undergraduate education I couldn’t make much progress with Lord of the Rings, which I felt so embarrassed that I was forced to give it a try. In just a few months audio membershipI have finished reading this fantasy Bible and entered a new literary horizon.
Audiobooks aren’t for everyone – some people told me they found it hard to remember what they heard – but if audiobooks are for you, you need to check out an app called Libby. Thanksgiving may be over, but as the broader holiday travel season In the near future, it could become the perfect companion for long drives or flights. Or distract yourself while you’re with your family; we’re not here to judge.
For more information on holiday travel, learn more Our stress-free travel checklist and find out What important items to keep track of when packing.
What is Libby?
The Libby app, formerly known as OverDrive, lets you access digital publications from a real library system. While I’m probably here to promote its audiobook offerings, you can also borrow ebooks, digital comic books, and digital magazines.
All of this content won’t cost you a dime, but while there may be a free lunch, there’s probably no effortless lunch. All in all, Libby requires an actual library card to access anything, and while some systems will let you sign up for a library card online, in most places you end up having to go to your local library in person to set up a card, and you Need to ensure it is kept up to date. If you ask me, I get an almost unlimited amount of free books for a small price.
Read more: The best e-readers of 2024
Where can I buy Libby?
Libby is available through Apple app storethis Google Play Store and Amazon App Store. If you have a phone, tablet or laptop in your pocket or bag, you can buy Libby. You can also access the service via a web browser: libbyapp.com.
So how does it work?
After you create a Libby account and enter your library card information, all you need to do is search for the book you want and borrow it. If you’ve ever used the Spotify or Apple Music apps, or other audiobook apps like Audible or Apple Books, you know what to expect with the Libby player. Elsewhere, you can read ebooks in Libby or export them to your Kindle app.
One of the main value propositions Libby offers is the ability to add multiple library cards. Some library systems allow you to register for a card even if you don’t live locally. For example, as a New York State resident, I have access to the New York City Public Library, Queens Public Library, and Brooklyn Public Library in Manhattan as well as my local library, greatly expanding the catalog I can pull from. Go dig around on Google and see if your state’s library system offers something similar.
Are there any downsides to Libby?
Because Libby connects you to a real library, you need to work within the constraints of a library rental. This means that the library has a limited number of “copies” of each book that can be checked out at one time, so if the book you’re looking for is fully booked, you’ll have to reserve it and wait for it to be checked out. become available. Once you borrow something, you can only use it for a certain period of time, usually two to three weeks. Maybe reconsider using Libby and take a look at Infinite Jest, unless you have a lot of free time.
You’ll also notice that the audio quality of audiobooks on Libby leaves something to be desired compared to Audible or Apple Books. Unlike Audible, there’s no way to select higher or lower quality files. Of course, this won’t be a deal-breaker for most people, but it’s something to keep in mind for perfectionists.
For more information about audiobooks, learn how audiobooks Become another medium to be rocked by artificial intelligence.
