Free Guide to Understanding Libby and Kindle Apps

What Libby and Kindle Are: Understanding Two Different Reading Platforms

Libby and Kindle represent two distinct approaches to reading books on your phone, tablet, or computer. Understanding how each one works will help you decide which might work best for your reading habits.

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Libby is a reading app created by OverDrive, a company that helps libraries lend digital books. When you use Libby, you connect it to your local library card. The app lets you borrow e-books and audiobooks directly from your library's collection—the same way you would borrow a physical book, except everything happens through your device. According to the American Library Association, over 85 percent of public libraries in the United States offer digital lending through apps like Libby. Your library pays for the books once, and library members can borrow them for free.

Kindle, owned by Amazon, works differently. Kindle is both a device and an app. You purchase books through Amazon's store, and they appear in your Kindle library. You own the digital license to read these books, though Amazon sets the terms for that ownership. Kindle has been around since 2007, and Amazon reports that millions of Kindle e-books are available for purchase. Some books are free, some are inexpensive, and others cost the same as physical copies.

The core difference comes down to borrowing versus buying. Libby operates on a borrowing model—books have due dates and you return them. Kindle operates on a purchasing model—once you buy a book, it stays in your library.

• Libby uses your library card for free borrowing
• Kindle involves purchasing books from Amazon
• Both work on smartphones, tablets, and computers
• Libby has borrowing limits and due dates; Kindle books do not
• Your choice depends on whether you prefer borrowing or owning

Practical Takeaway: Think about your reading pattern. If you read many different books throughout the year, Libby's borrowing model saves money. If you reread books or want a permanent collection, Kindle may suit your needs better.

Getting Started With Libby: Using Your Library Card to Borrow Books

Setting up Libby begins with having a library card from a participating library system. Most public library systems in the United States participate in Libby, but some smaller or rural libraries may not. Your first step is to confirm your library uses the Libby service.

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To start using Libby, you need to locate and open the app on your device. The Libby app is available for iOS (Apple devices), Android (most other phones and tablets), and through a web browser. When you open the app for the first time, you'll see an option to connect your library. You'll enter your library card number and the PIN or password associated with your library account. Different library systems use different login processes, but the Libby app guides you through finding your specific library.

Once you're connected, you can browse your library's digital collection. Libby displays books by category, new releases, trending titles, and recommendations based on your reading history. When you find a book you want to read, you can place a hold on it. If the book is immediately available, it will open in the app. If other library members are reading it, you'll join a waitlist. The Libby app shows you your position in the hold queue and estimates how long until the book becomes available to you.

When a book becomes available, Libby sends you a notification. You then have a set period—usually 7 to 21 days depending on your library—to keep the book before it automatically returns. You can request to keep it longer (called renewing), but not all books allow renewals if other people are waiting.

Libby also offers audiobooks through the same process. Many libraries now have thousands of audiobooks available through Libby. These work identically to e-books—you borrow them with your library card, and they return automatically after the lending period ends.

• Verify your library participates in Libby before starting
• Install the Libby app from your device's app store or use the web version
• Sign in with your library card number and PIN
• Browse and place holds on books and audiobooks
• Receive notifications when books become available
• Books return automatically; no late fees
• You can renew some books if others aren't waiting

Practical Takeaway: Start by searching for books you actually want to read rather than exploring randomly. Place holds on multiple books at once—since books have due dates, having several books ready creates a continuous reading experience without wait periods between books.

Getting Started With Kindle: Purchasing and Reading Books

Setting up Kindle requires an Amazon account. If you already shop on Amazon, you can use your existing login. If you don't have an Amazon account, you'll create one by providing an email address and password. Amazon stores your payment information securely once you add it, which makes purchasing books straightforward.

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You can read Kindle books in three ways: on a Kindle device (such as a Kindle e-reader), through the Kindle app on your phone or tablet, or through your web browser using Kindle Cloud Reader. The Kindle app is free and works on iOS, Android, and most devices. For many people, the Kindle app on their existing phone or tablet is sufficient—you don't need to buy a separate Kindle device.

To purchase a book on Kindle, you search the Amazon store through your Kindle app or on Amazon.com. When you find a book, you see the price clearly displayed. Many books cost between $0.99 and $9.99, though some are higher. Amazon also offers a program called Kindle Unlimited, which costs about $11.99 per month and allows you to borrow a large collection of books to read for free (this is different from library borrowing and is a subscription service you pay for).

After purchasing a book, it immediately appears in your Kindle library. You can start reading right away on any of your devices. If you're reading a book on your phone and switch to your tablet, Kindle remembers your position and syncs across devices. This means you can read a chapter on your phone during lunch and pick up where you left off on your tablet later.

One important distinction: when you purchase a Kindle book, you're purchasing a license to read it, not owning a physical copy. Amazon can theoretically remove books from your library in rare situations (this has happened a handful of times historically), though it's uncommon. However, the book will remain in your library indefinitely—there's no return date like with library books.

• Create an Amazon account (or sign in to your existing one)
• Install the free Kindle app or use any Amazon device
• Browse books in the Amazon store
• Purchase books at various price points
• Books appear in your library immediately
• Read on any device with Kindle installed
• Your reading position syncs across all your devices
• Consider Kindle Unlimited if you read many books per month

Practical Takeaway: Before purchasing a book, check the price—some Kindle books are less expensive than physical copies, while others cost the same or more. Look for free books in the Kindle store to build your library without spending money, and use the book preview feature to read the first chapter free before buying.

Comparing Costs: Library Borrowing Versus Purchasing Books

The financial difference between Libby and Kindle depends on how much you read and your personal preferences. Understanding these costs helps you make decisions about which service—or which combination of services—works for your budget.

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Libby costs nothing beyond your library membership, which is free to most people who live in a community served by a public library. You need a valid library card, which your local library issues for free to residents. Because your library has already purchased the digital books, you pay nothing per book borrowed. If you read ten books per month using Libby, the cost to you is zero dollars.