Libby

Explore thousands of free eBooks and audiobooks on the Libby app by OverDrive.

Libby

How it works

Your library card gives you free access to the Libby app, which allows you to download eBooks and audiobooks to your phone or tablet. You can also read the same titles in your browser (such as Chrome, Edge or Firefox) from the Overdrive website, and plug your eReader into your PC to transfer eBooks across to an eReader, such as a Kobo or Nook.

You can borrow a maximum of 10 eBook and audiobook titles on the Libby app for up to 3 weeks.

Get started

All you need is your library card number. Apply for a library card now — we can get a number to you within a few working days.

Please be advised that the temporary WEB library card number issued to you when you first apply online will not work with eLibrary services — you must have a permanent library card number to start using Libby. This will be emailed to you once we have processed your application.

You can start using Libby through:

The quickest way is to install the app. Search for “Libby” in the iOS or Google Play app stores and follow the instructions.

Step by step instructions

If you need help setting up Libby on your device, visit your local library where our friendly staff can walk you through the process.

Devices compatible with Libby

Tablets:

  • Any iPad that runs iOS 10.0 or later
  • Any Android tablet that runs Android 5.0 or later
  • Amazon Fire Tablet

Smartphones:

  • Any iPhone that runs iOS 10.0 or later
  • Any Android phone that runs Android 5.0 or later

eReaders:

  • Sony
  • Nook
  • Kobo
  • PocketBook Touch
  • Tolino Vision‍

Libby is not compatible with Kindle eReaders.

Setting up on smartphone or tablet
  • Download and install the ‘Libby, by OverDrive’ app from the App Store or Google Play Store
  • When the download is complete, press ‘Open’
  • The app will ask if you have a library card. If you do, press ‘Yes’
  • The app will then ask to find your local library service. You can select ‘Yes, Guess My
  • Library’ and the app will use your location to find your library
  • If it has located Suffolk Community Libraries, press ‘Yes’. If it has located a different library service, or you would prefer to not use your location, press ‘I’ll Search For A Library’
  • Type ‘Suffolk’ in the box and the app will automatically bring up matching libraries – select the option that says ‘Suffolk Community Libraries’
  • Press the icon in the middle of the bottom bar
  • Under ‘Your Libraries’, press ‘No cards +’
  • Press ‘Add a Card’ – if you already have a library card with Suffolk Community Libraries, select
  • ‘Enter Library Account Details’
  • Enter the long number on the back of your library card above the barcode
  • Press ‘Sign In’, and after a few moments, press ‘Next’
  • The app will then display your card. Press ‘Hide’ which will take you back to the home screen. You now have access to the Libby app.
Setting up on an eReader

Please note: Libby does not work with Kindle eReaders, only Kindle Fire tablets.

Some eReaders have Libby available on the device. Simply open Libby and enter your card details. All Kobo eReaders will already have the Libby app downloaded on them.

  • Download and install the ‘Libby, by OverDrive’ app from the Amazon Appstore‍
  • When the download is complete, press ‘Open’
  • The app will ask if you have a library card. If you do, press ‘Yes’
  • The app will then ask to find your local library service. You can select ‘Yes, Guess My Library’ and the app will use your location to find your library
  • If it has located Suffolk Community Libraries, press ‘Yes’. If it has located a different library service, or you would prefer to not use your location, press ‘I’ll Search For A Library’
  • Type ‘Suffolk’ in the box and the app will automatically bring up matching libraries – select the option that says ‘Suffolk Community Libraries’
  • Press the icon in the middle of the bottom bar
  • Under ‘Your Libraries’, press ‘No cards +’
  • Press ‘Add a Card’ – if you already have a library card with Suffolk Community Libraries, select
  • ‘Enter Library Account Details’
  • Enter the long number on the back of your library card above the barcode
  • Press ‘Sign In’, and after a few moments, press ‘Next’
  • The app will then display your card. Press ‘Hide’ which will take you back to the home screen. You now have access to the Libby app.
Setting up on a computer

For OverDrive:

  • Go to the OverDrive website and click the ‘Sign in’ link
  • Enter your library card number and click ‘Sign in’
  • Suffolk Libraries OverDrive service will now be available to use

For Libby:

Borrowing titles on the Libby app
  • Press the magnifying glass icon on the bottom left of the screen to search for a title.
  • Find the title you want and press ‘Borrow’. If it is on loan to another borrower, you can reserve it by pressing ‘Place Hold’.
  • Another screen will load with a button that says ‘Borrow!’. Press this.
  • The item will then download and you will be given the option to ‘Keep Browsing’ or ‘Go to Shelf’. The first will take you back to the catalogue, the second will take you to the item you have selected and downloaded. Both eBooks and eAudio books will automatically expire in 3 weeks.
  • To renew or return the item, select the title cover on the ‘Loans’ tab by selecting the icon with stacked books at the bottom of the screen.
  • Scroll to find the title and select ‘Manage Loan’
  • Select ‘Renew Loan’ or ‘Return’ as appropriate.
Borrowing titles on an eReader (OverDrive)

Not all titles have direct integration between Libby and Kobo readers. To read a book from your Libby library on an eReader device, please follow these instructions.

You will need a Kobo or Nook or other account, depending on which eReader you have.

  • Plug your eReader into your computer via a USB cable
  • Install the Adobe Digital Editions program on your computer
  • Go to the OverDrive website and borrow a title (or if you have already borrowed in Libby, find title in your OverDrive account by going to ‘My Account > Loans’).
  • Select ‘Download EPUB eBook’. The file name will end ‘.acsm’
  • Find the eBook you’ve downloaded on your computer
  • Open the eBook – this will open in Adobe Digital Editions
  • The first time you do this Adobe Digital Editions will prompt you to enter your Adobe account details. If you don’t have an Adobe account, follow the link to set one up
  • Enter your Adobe account details
  • Your eReader will appear under the ‘Device’ heading in the left column of Adobe Digital Editions. Drag and drop your eBook to copy it on to your eReader
Borrowing titles on an eReader (Libby)

You will need a Kobo or Nook or other account, depending on which eReader you have.

  • Plug your eReader into your computer
  • Install the Adobe Digital Editions program on your computer
  • Go to the Libby website‍
  • Go to your shelf and select ‘loans’ at the top of the screen
  • Select the cloud icon on the title you want to download and select ‘Read with…’
  • Select EPUB or PDF (format options vary by title)
  • Open the eBook in Adobe Digital Editions
  • The first time you do this Adobe Digital Editions will prompt you to enter your Adobe account details. If you don’t have an Adobe account, follow the link to set one up
  • Enter your Adobe account details
  • Your eReader will appear under the ‘Device’ heading. Drag and drop your eBook to copy it on to your eReader
Borrowing titles on a computer

To use Libby on a laptop or desktop PC, go to the Libby website. The steps are the same as the app.

  • To use OverDrive on a laptop or desktop PC, go to the OverDrive website and click the ‘Sign in’ link
  • Find an eBook or eAudio book through the search bar or by browsing the categories
  • Select the eBook or eAudio book you want and click ‘Borrow’, and then choose ‘Download (EPUB book)/(MP3 Audiobook)’ or ‘Read (in your browser)’. If it is on loan to another borrower, you can reserve it by clicking ‘Place a hold’. If you download a ‘WMA Audiobook’, you will not be able to listen to it on your tablet or smartphone.
  • If you download an eAudio book, you will need to install OverDrive Media Console. The files will be in an ODM format.
  • Find the eAudio book files on your computer and open them in OverDrive Media Console
  • Both eBooks and eAudio books will automatically expire in 3 weeks. You can renew it within 3 days of the expiration date if no one else has reserved it, by clicking the ‘Renew’ button on the ‘Bookshelf’ page.
  • You can view books you have previously borrowed by going to the ‘Bookshelf’ page and clicking History. See the OverDrive History instructions page for instructions on using this feature.
Adding more library cards

Libby allows you to add several library cards to the app. This is helpful if you share the device with another person.

  • Open the Libby app
  • Select the icon in the middle of the bottom bar
  • If you have previously signed into Libby with your library card, this will automatically remain signed in on the app
  • Under ‘Your Libraries’, press ‘1 card +’
  • Before linking additional cards, name your original card by pressing ‘Actions’ followed by ‘Rename card’ so you can distinguish between multiple cards
  • Select ‘Add Another Card’ and then ‘Enter Library Account Details’
  • Enter the long number on the back of your library card above the barcode
  • Press ‘Sign in’. After a few moments, press ‘Next’
  • The app will now show both cards. Select ‘activate’ on the card you wish to use on the app
  • You can repeat this process to name and link additional library cards
Removing library cards from the Libby app

If you decide to add the library card again, the app will remember the name you previously gave the card.

  • Select ‘2 cards +’
  • Press the word ‘Activate’ on the named card that you want to remove
  • Select the word ‘Actions’ on the card
  • Press ‘Remove card’
  • A box will appear asking you to confirm this, which will explain that any existing loans for this card will be removed along with the linked card. Press the red button ‘Yes, Remove Card’.
  • The card will be removed from your account.
  • Repeat as necessary
Accessing your account information
  • Open the Libby app
  • Press the words ‘2 cards +’, or however many you have linked to the app
  • A tab will open on the right-hand side of the screen.
  • Press the word ‘Activate’ next to the named card you want to review
  • Press the card shape, which will flip the card over
  • You will see when the card was added, the allowance you have for loans/holds, how many loans you currently have and how many holds you have placed on items
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