People Are Sharing Library Hacks That Are Useful, Free And There’s No Reason Not To Use Them
It seems like most of the news we hear about libraries lately is discouraging, with usage declining and funding being denied. Most people’s first assumption would be that it’s an expected consequence of how people use technology. As e-books and apps that let people obtain them in seconds spread, public libraries fall by the wayside as a way to access media. Right?
Not quite! It’s actually more likely than you think that you can do all of those things—check out e-books, audiobooks, graphic novels, and other media—not by giving more of your money to Amazon for a subscription, but by using your library card, a public service that your taxes are already paying for, to sign into the many apps that public libraries themselves use. You get a wealth of information and entertainment, and library use statistics go up. If you haven’t checked whether you can sign in to these services with your local library card, this is your reminder to do so.
People are trying to get the word out about free library apps
Image credits: Stewart Butterfield
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Image credits: vornietom
Image credits: vornietom
Image credits: vornietom
Maybe you’ve heard tips for using apps like Audible “like a library”—that is, returning audiobooks for a refund. But authors who list their books with the service aren’t a fan of people using it that way, as some have complained after reporting being fined by Audible for user returns. If you already use the app and you’re worried about returns, bigger publishers aren’t likely to notice if they’re hit by these fees, but think twice before you return indie authors’ releases.
An author shared why trying to play Audible isn’t a good idea
Image credits: MikeH5856
Instead, try using all of these free apps that are the real deal
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If you get embarrassed when people ask you when was the last time you read a book, and your New Year’s resolution is to change that, don’t let lack of time or money stop you. Studies once found that while at least 90% of libraries in the US offered e-book lending, over a third of respondents either didn’t know whether their local library did, or thought that it didn’t. We hope that statistic is going down, because librarians’ dedication to giving everyone free access to information certainly isn’t any time soon!
Commenters gave their reviews of library apps, and other tips
My librarians are really helpful and cheerful about helping people work out how to use computers, the net , the photocopiers and much more.
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Everyone should use and enjoy their Public Library. It is a warm, inviting sanctuary of calm, offering all types of media and programs. Libraries Rule!
I love ducking into the library when I'm downtown and overwhelmed with errands. It truly is an inviting sanctuary :)
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Just got a text from my library saying my books are due soon.I love my library.
Please, please, please support your local library. It's the only place in every city or town where everything is free! At my library, people come in to use the computers/internet because they can't afford it in their home. We have a huge FREE DVD collection because people can't afford cable tv or netflix, etc. People come into the library just to see other people in the community because they are elderly and alone. Do you need to use a fax machine or copy machine? We've got both! Why pay for books when you can rent them for FREE?? My county commissioners said they don't see any value in libraries anymore because everything is digital and due to this, they find our libraries as a financial burden on the community instead of a huge asset. They are very narrow-minded people who won't be reelected.
Not just DVDs but my library card gives me a subscription to Kanopy for movie streaming. You only get 5 per month but they're FREE. STREAMING. MOVIES. Libraries are the best!
Load More Replies... The Prince George's Library system in Maryland also gives you access to Rb Digital and Acorn, which includes magazines and British/Australian tv shows all for free! Definitely recommend getting a card and then asking about all the perks - they don't tell you when u sign up it wasn't till I was talking with a librarian about a diff issue that she mentioned did I use the library app that she then told me about all the stuff (apps/free stuff) it also linked me too!
Here's the kicker... My library system uses Rb Digital and I have the ONLY kindle that doesn't support the Rb Digital app. Hoping/wishing/praying they switch back to Overdrive quickly!
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Talk to your librarian. Mine told me I could get library cards from most of the rest of the counties in my state, not just my home county. Now I have LA, San Fran, San Bern, San Diego, and Kern cards. Incredible ebook access!
My library card is from when Georgia was one library system so it works all over the state for the digital access. In Georgia, library patrons can request physical books from any library in the state system but it just takes a couple of days to get to you.
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TIPS ARE NOT HACKS! A hack is using something for a purpose other than it was designed, usually to solve a problem. Helpful tips are not 'hacks.'
Craig, hun, pedants generally just annoy people. Think thrice before you start nit picking. Ask yourself " is this really worth arguing about ? "
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Our library even has stuff like sewing machines and a 3D printer. You just pay/bring your own materials. It's amazing.
If you're not using your local library, you're the one missing out. My main complaint with my local library is how certain franchises are not available (e.g. Warhammer 40,000), how some niche books are never brought in, or how there's a long waiting list for some popular books. Apart from these, my local library has 95% of books I'm looking for, sometimes even obscure ones I thought would not be available. Check your local library first before you buy a book.
I use Libby- it's a great app, and you can almost always find what you're looking for, and if not, it's usually available in about a week. Great for when you have a book report due tomorrow and don't have a book XD
I just downloaded Libby after registering for an e-card from my local library. I can't wait to tell my husband about this! It's exciting and refreshing to get back in touch with my local library.
The library apps are great for audio books, ebooks, magazines and movies. But they don't have the same titles as paid services. Sometimes you have to search around if you want something specific. I use both plus the physical library. The Kansas City Public Library system kicks a*s.
Thank you so much for sharing this! I work in a public library and we want our communitites to know how much FREE stuff is here: books, newspapers, magazines, DVDs, CDs, local history, e-media, on line classes, in house classes, family programs, teen clubs, knitting groups, card groups, craft classes, genealogy classes, Mango language courses, Flipster...check out your local library!
California libraries have a program called Discover and Go, which allows you to reserve free or reduced price tickets to dozens of museums. Some museums that cater to kids are pretty expensive out here, so this is a great way to allow access for ALL kids no matter their family income.
My local library subscribes to Lynda.com. I can view all the lessons I want on a desktop or laptop.
People need to stop with the "it's your tax money" lines when referencing libraries. Many, many, many libraries are not tax supported.
My library in Chesapeake, VA uses Hoopla, Libby and Overdrive. Wonderful free resources for thousands of ebooks and audio books.
These apps are amazing!!! Esp. for anyone who loves to read. But what if you're not from the US? The apps don't seem to support library members from my country, unfortunately :(
My mother was a librarian all her life. I have other family and friends who work for and support libraries. I feel sure she would have approved of greater access. Thanks to an accidental injury I haven't been able to drive for about 6 weeks and am temporarily housebound. Imagine if you were totally housebound for whatever reason... or live too remotely to get to a library easily. Not to mention plenty of very broke friends. But I will get a ride to my local library "tomorrow" for a new library card!
I lived in my public library as a kid and continue to patronize it as an adult for the many services it offers. (Also b/c for many years I was a feral librarian and, ahem, REPORTED FOR DUTY!!!) So, kill the public library and I'll know that Bradbury's, Sinclair's, Orwell's, Atwood's and and many other dystopian predictor's fears have come to pass....
Public libraries are the best thing remaining about the U.S. I lived in them as a kid and continue to patronize them via digital services and for hard copy books also as an adult. Kill the public library, and I know that that Orwell's country (and Bradbury's and Atwood's...and so many other dystopian predictor) has truly arrived.
Overdrive is now privately owned: https://boingboing.net/2019/12/27/book-business.html
So now digital/audio books are a monopoly! Amazon and KKR own most of it now. Boo.
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I tried this with the app, it redirects you to a local library resource which you can't access unless you physically go to the library to get a library card. Which is open almost the exact same times of day I'm at work....
Ya no. its a bigger circle jerk trying to get logged into the libraries Online books to BORROW them for free. They only have so many digital copies. Audible is PAYING the author, thats why some digital books cant be bought with discount codes
I don't know how it works in the USA, but in the UK there is a pot of money shared out between artists in relation to how many times their works were borrowed.
Load More Replies...
My librarians are really helpful and cheerful about helping people work out how to use computers, the net , the photocopiers and much more.
Load More Replies... Everyone should use and enjoy their Public Library. It is a warm, inviting sanctuary of calm, offering all types of media and programs. Libraries Rule!
I love ducking into the library when I'm downtown and overwhelmed with errands. It truly is an inviting sanctuary :)
Load More Replies... Just got a text from my library saying my books are due soon.I love my library.
Please, please, please support your local library. It's the only place in every city or town where everything is free! At my library, people come in to use the computers/internet because they can't afford it in their home. We have a huge FREE DVD collection because people can't afford cable tv or netflix, etc. People come into the library just to see other people in the community because they are elderly and alone. Do you need to use a fax machine or copy machine? We've got both! Why pay for books when you can rent them for FREE?? My county commissioners said they don't see any value in libraries anymore because everything is digital and due to this, they find our libraries as a financial burden on the community instead of a huge asset. They are very narrow-minded people who won't be reelected.
Not just DVDs but my library card gives me a subscription to Kanopy for movie streaming. You only get 5 per month but they're FREE. STREAMING. MOVIES. Libraries are the best!
Load More Replies... The Prince George's Library system in Maryland also gives you access to Rb Digital and Acorn, which includes magazines and British/Australian tv shows all for free! Definitely recommend getting a card and then asking about all the perks - they don't tell you when u sign up it wasn't till I was talking with a librarian about a diff issue that she mentioned did I use the library app that she then told me about all the stuff (apps/free stuff) it also linked me too!
Here's the kicker... My library system uses Rb Digital and I have the ONLY kindle that doesn't support the Rb Digital app. Hoping/wishing/praying they switch back to Overdrive quickly!
Load More Replies... Talk to your librarian. Mine told me I could get library cards from most of the rest of the counties in my state, not just my home county. Now I have LA, San Fran, San Bern, San Diego, and Kern cards. Incredible ebook access!
My library card is from when Georgia was one library system so it works all over the state for the digital access. In Georgia, library patrons can request physical books from any library in the state system but it just takes a couple of days to get to you.
Load More Replies... TIPS ARE NOT HACKS! A hack is using something for a purpose other than it was designed, usually to solve a problem. Helpful tips are not 'hacks.'
Craig, hun, pedants generally just annoy people. Think thrice before you start nit picking. Ask yourself " is this really worth arguing about ? "
Load More Replies... Our library even has stuff like sewing machines and a 3D printer. You just pay/bring your own materials. It's amazing.
If you're not using your local library, you're the one missing out. My main complaint with my local library is how certain franchises are not available (e.g. Warhammer 40,000), how some niche books are never brought in, or how there's a long waiting list for some popular books. Apart from these, my local library has 95% of books I'm looking for, sometimes even obscure ones I thought would not be available. Check your local library first before you buy a book.
I use Libby- it's a great app, and you can almost always find what you're looking for, and if not, it's usually available in about a week. Great for when you have a book report due tomorrow and don't have a book XD
I just downloaded Libby after registering for an e-card from my local library. I can't wait to tell my husband about this! It's exciting and refreshing to get back in touch with my local library.
The library apps are great for audio books, ebooks, magazines and movies. But they don't have the same titles as paid services. Sometimes you have to search around if you want something specific. I use both plus the physical library. The Kansas City Public Library system kicks a*s.
Thank you so much for sharing this! I work in a public library and we want our communitites to know how much FREE stuff is here: books, newspapers, magazines, DVDs, CDs, local history, e-media, on line classes, in house classes, family programs, teen clubs, knitting groups, card groups, craft classes, genealogy classes, Mango language courses, Flipster...check out your local library!
California libraries have a program called Discover and Go, which allows you to reserve free or reduced price tickets to dozens of museums. Some museums that cater to kids are pretty expensive out here, so this is a great way to allow access for ALL kids no matter their family income.
My local library subscribes to Lynda.com. I can view all the lessons I want on a desktop or laptop.
People need to stop with the "it's your tax money" lines when referencing libraries. Many, many, many libraries are not tax supported.
My library in Chesapeake, VA uses Hoopla, Libby and Overdrive. Wonderful free resources for thousands of ebooks and audio books.
These apps are amazing!!! Esp. for anyone who loves to read. But what if you're not from the US? The apps don't seem to support library members from my country, unfortunately :(
My mother was a librarian all her life. I have other family and friends who work for and support libraries. I feel sure she would have approved of greater access. Thanks to an accidental injury I haven't been able to drive for about 6 weeks and am temporarily housebound. Imagine if you were totally housebound for whatever reason... or live too remotely to get to a library easily. Not to mention plenty of very broke friends. But I will get a ride to my local library "tomorrow" for a new library card!
I lived in my public library as a kid and continue to patronize it as an adult for the many services it offers. (Also b/c for many years I was a feral librarian and, ahem, REPORTED FOR DUTY!!!) So, kill the public library and I'll know that Bradbury's, Sinclair's, Orwell's, Atwood's and and many other dystopian predictor's fears have come to pass....
Public libraries are the best thing remaining about the U.S. I lived in them as a kid and continue to patronize them via digital services and for hard copy books also as an adult. Kill the public library, and I know that that Orwell's country (and Bradbury's and Atwood's...and so many other dystopian predictor) has truly arrived.
Overdrive is now privately owned: https://boingboing.net/2019/12/27/book-business.html
So now digital/audio books are a monopoly! Amazon and KKR own most of it now. Boo.
Load More Replies... I tried this with the app, it redirects you to a local library resource which you can't access unless you physically go to the library to get a library card. Which is open almost the exact same times of day I'm at work....
Ya no. its a bigger circle jerk trying to get logged into the libraries Online books to BORROW them for free. They only have so many digital copies. Audible is PAYING the author, thats why some digital books cant be bought with discount codes
I don't know how it works in the USA, but in the UK there is a pot of money shared out between artists in relation to how many times their works were borrowed.
Load More Replies...
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