I love my local libraries and for National Library Week I wanted to celebrate the great value that I get from using the digital resources afforded to me by my library cards.
So, I want to know, are you utilizing your library card for all the digital benefits available to you? If not, this guide will hopefully help you make the most of your online library experience.
If you are utilizing your library's digital resources, what is your favorite one? Any apps that I missed that you love?
What digital library resources may be available to you?
eBooks
Audiobooks
Magazines
Streaming movies and TV including children's programming
Music
Comics
Newspapers including NYT and WSJ
Online learning including coding, languages, The Great Courses, etc.
Research Databases
Genealogy Databases
and many more!
How to find your library's digital resources:
Look for the following words/phrases on your library's website:
Apps
Digital Resources
eAudiobooks
eBooks
eBranch
eLibrary
Mobile Applications
Online Resources
Stream and Download
Unfortunately in my experience most library websites are poorly designed and hard to find things on, so remember you can also also ask a librarian! They would be happy to help you!
Getting more library cards:
If your library doesn't have a great selection or doesn't use digital tools that work well for you, you can pay to use some libraries. Popular options are:
You should also search by your state as some free cards are based on your state residence and not just your city or county.
What are the popular library digital resource platforms?
I have 11 Library cards, and when I compared the digital resources available for each, these were the 5 most popular platforms:
Hoopla
Libby
CloudLibrary
Kanopy
TumbleBooks
Keep scrolling to see what each offers in content, audiobook playback speed range, supported devices, and some of my thoughts on each.
Content: audiobooks, movies, music, comics, eBooks, TV, and binge pass (*what is offered will depend on your library)
Audiobook Speeds: From 0.5-4x in 0.01 increments
Supported Devices: You can run hoopla through your phone, through supported devices in your car, on your smart TV, and more! Check out https://www.hoopladigital.com/help for a full list!
Notes: A major perk is most of the time there is no wait time for borrowing. You are limited in the number you can borrow per month per your library's contract with hoopla.
Content: eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more
Audiobook Speeds: From 0.6-3x in 0.05 increments
Supported Devices: You can download Libby on: iOS 10+ and Android 5.0+. Plus you can use it in a browser. I love that you can also send books to an eReader from Libby.
Notes: Easily the most popular digital library app. According to their website, over 90% of public libraries in North America use Libby. The navigation is a bit clunky at times, but you can add multiple library cards and toggle between them fairly easily which is nice. I also love that you can easily delay holds.
Content: audiobooks and eBooks
Audiobook Speeds: From 0.6-2x in 0.2 increments, then 2.5 and 3x
Supported Devices: cloudLibrary works with a large range of eReading devices. Does not work with Kindle Paperwhites. Check out the bottom of https://www.yourcloudlibrary.com/ for the full list
Notes: Overall it's fine, but not being able to send books to my Paperwhite or listen at more variable speeds is limiting for me. I use other apps instead most of the time.
Content: Watch up to 8 films per month. Plus unlimited plays on Kanopy Kids and The Great Courses.
Supported Devices: You can stream through apps (iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire), in a browser, or on your smart TV. Go to https://help.kanopy.com/ to find a full list.
Notes: A wide range of movie and TV shows from the widely popular to the obscure and really obscure. They say they add content weekly.
Content: TumbleBooks are animated, talking picture books which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they'll love. TumbleBooks are created by taking existing picture books, adding animation, sound, music and narration to produce an electronic picture book which you can read, or have read to you. TBL also includes Non Fiction Videos and games.
Supported Devices: You can access via supported browsers, and there is an app available in the Apple App Store and Google Play store.
Notes: I have not personally used, but almost every library I have a card for has this resource.
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