Enjoy eBooks, Magazines, and Audiobooks with Libby

Many of our patrons have been using the eLibraryNJ website to download eBooks and audiobooks for over a decade, but if you are used to the old OverDrive Media Console and App, now is the time to make the switch to Libby. Libby is the newest app from OverDrive and replaces the older OverDrive branded apps that will be fully retired this April. Whether you are new to the app or a long-time user, there are some recently added features that will help you make the most of your reading and listening - so read on for some tips! 

First, note that the eLibraryNJ website and the online version of Libby also let you access the same content without needing a device or downloading software to your computer – just go to the websites to get started. For eLibraryNJ, you will need your library card number to log on (select Mercer County Library System from the library drop-down) and then it is as easy as finding something to read or listen to. Once you click “borrow” for the title you are interested in checking out, you can start right there by next clicking either the Read Now or Listen Now button. When you close the browser, the service automatically bookmarks the spot for you. To resume, just log back on and click the bookshelf icon next to My Account then click the Read or Listen Now button next to the cover art. The LibbyApp website works pretty much the same way as the app, so check out the information for the app below.

Our first tip is one both users of the websites and the app should pay the most attention to – log on before you do any searching, we have some special features associated with MCLS that you only get to see once you log on to the service. The eLibraryNJ service is run by OverDrive and is supported by over 100 libraries in the state, so waiting lists can be long for the most popular titles. MCLS does buy extra copies of those titles (and some additional titles not owned by the bigger collection) that are only available for our patrons, so a popular title like Prince Harry’s Spare might show all ten copies checked out and a waitlist of over 800 if you are not logged on, but logging on shows 20 copies and only 97 holds – a big difference! Why are there even holds in the first place? Most publishers do not sell eBooks and digital audiobooks, particularly new releases, to libraries with an unlimited use license and prefer to still keep to the boundaries of physical books – so one copy per user. Just keep in mind the estimated wait time will be much lower then stated because of the extra copies.

Now let’s get you started with Libby. What you need is a device (phone or tablet) and access to either the App Store or Google Play. There is also an option for the Kindle Fire tablet. The Libby app is by OverDrive and is free. Once installed, you pick Mercer County Library System and enter your library barcode to start using the service. The library building icon takes you to the collection to browse titles and the magnifying glass icon lets you find items by title or author. Tap Borrow to check the item out, then you will see the cover art with the option to play the audiobook or open the eBook. In both cases, tap on the cover art to get started reading or listening to the title.

For eBooks, both the app and website navigation are the same as any eBook reader, swiping (or clicking) left or right turns the pages. The icons at the top of the page allow you to show one or two pages at a time (page icon); the text icon lets you change the size, font, spacing, and color of the text – which includes the Open Dyslexic font option; and the bookmarks icon allows you to bookmark pages or make notes.

For audiobooks there are similar icons, the main ones being the play/pause button, the skip ahead or backward 15 seconds buttons, and the bookmarks. Listeners may also adjust the reader speed to either a slightly slower pace or one of three faster reading speed options. Lastly, there is the snooze timer that lets you set a time to turn off the audiobook – perfect if you are timing an hour lunch break or to set a sleep timer so you don’t have to “rewind” if you doze off.

One newer feature to Libby is the use of tags. Readers can add tags to titles for future reference, such as a reminder of a book club selection later in the year or a new favorite series. Tags can be sorted and used to create wish lists to go back to when you don’t have time to browse the collection. The borrowed tag is automatically applied to any title you check out. Tags can be sorted and even exported to an Excel file or as an HTML file to share.

Libby even has its own blog, Libby Life, which not only features news about the latest updates, but adds in power user tips and a host of reader’s advisory articles showcasing new, trending, and topical titles. There is also a podcast as well as a series of feature articles and author interviews. It provides a nice in-depth look at titles you might otherwise overlook.

- by Laura N., Information Technology Department