I hate Libby

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My library website no longer has any way to recommend books for purchase. They deleted the feature, probably to force people to use Libby. I’m not sure if Libby really works that way. There is very little online documentation.

It’s library-specific, so you may want to send them an email and ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One issue I have is that Libby does not keep track of past borrowed items. I know after 9/11 for concerns re:civil liberties, a lot of libraries stopped keeping borrowing histories (I worked in libraries back then)--but I really would like to see the list of what I have read/listened to Ober the years

I think you want a tracking app, not a reading app like Libby. This is where Goodreads, Stoygraph, Librarything, and Bookly come in.

You can track your reads, want to reads, "shelve" books on different lists, see content warnings, and rate books (if you want) on them.

Libby and Kindle both "talk" to goodreads, so that's the post popular option.

[Anonymous]

I just cannot get it to send me email notifications when books are available. I know where the settings for that are and I have them all turned on. The help center suggested and turn them all off and then back on but that didn't help either. Anyone else have an issue with that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One issue I have is that Libby does not keep track of past borrowed items. I know after 9/11 for concerns re:civil liberties, a lot of libraries stopped keeping borrowing histories (I worked in libraries back then)--but I really would like to see the list of what I have read/listened to Ober the years

I think you want a tracking app, not a reading app like Libby. This is where Goodreads, Stoygraph, Librarything, and Bookly come in.

You can track your reads, want to reads, "shelve" books on different lists, see content warnings, and rate books (if you want) on them.

Libby and Kindle both "talk" to goodreads, so that's the post popular option.

No, I would prefer that Libby just show me the list of what I have borrowed. Of course I know i can track my own list using the sites you listed or even with a pen and paper, so obvious that it does not need mention

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One issue I have is that Libby does not keep track of past borrowed items. I know after 9/11 for concerns re:civil liberties, a lot of libraries stopped keeping borrowing histories (I worked in libraries back then)--but I really would like to see the list of what I have read/listened to Ober the years

I think you want a tracking app, not a reading app like Libby. This is where Goodreads, Stoygraph, Librarything, and Bookly come in.

You can track your reads, want to reads, "shelve" books on different lists, see content warnings, and rate books (if you want) on them.

Libby and Kindle both "talk" to goodreads, so that's the post popular option.

No, I would prefer that Libby just show me the list of what I have borrowed. Of course I know i can track my own list using the sites you listed or even with a pen and paper, so obvious that it does not need mention

There’s a “borrowed” tag that shows your past items borrowed.

What’s with the attitude? They were trying to help you.

[Anonymous]

So I’ve been using Libby’s Notify Me tag and it seems like it’s been functioning pretty well as a “please acquire this book” - at least in Fairfax county. I have had six books come up in the last week so far. I think they do gauge how many people are tagging the books and then getting if they reach whatever number.

[Anonymous]

Free webinar from Libby/overdrive you all might find helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Free webinar from Libby/overdrive you all might find helpful.

Thank you for sharing! Just registered.

[Anonymous]

Me too.

My mother is 89 and Overdrive was challenging enough for her. Libby is incomprehensible. It took me an hour to check out and download three book from our library for her. The font adjustment and screen brightness and background color are NOT adjustable to the same degree, and it is simply SO freaking slow to do ANYTHING.

I hate it. HATE it. You can elect to transfer books you check out with it to another ereader app - and then it seems to transfer to the old Overdrive software.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Me too.

My mother is 89 and Overdrive was challenging enough for her. Libby is incomprehensible. It took me an hour to check out and download three book from our library for her. The font adjustment and screen brightness and background color are NOT adjustable to the same degree, and it is simply SO freaking slow to do ANYTHING.

I hate it. HATE it. You can elect to transfer books you check out with it to another ereader app - and then it seems to transfer to the old Overdrive software.

Objectively, the app is not incomprehensible. Thousands of people use it. Go to the webinar and learn how to adjust since you don’t have the technical skills to learn how to use the app on your own. It’s not normal to take an hour to figure out a new app. It took me a few minutes to load my card and search. The app works just fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Me too.

My mother is 89 and Overdrive was challenging enough for her. Libby is incomprehensible. It took me an hour to check out and download three book from our library for her. The font adjustment and screen brightness and background color are NOT adjustable to the same degree, and it is simply SO freaking slow to do ANYTHING.

I hate it. HATE it. You can elect to transfer books you check out with it to another ereader app - and then it seems to transfer to the old Overdrive software.

You may want to reach out to their customer support, though I’d try uninstalling and reinstalling first.

It should not be slow.

Also, the transfer to kindle is immediate and seamless for me (and I’m guessing this is the norm).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish my library (Loudoun) would get more books in a digital form.

Get cards in neighboring counties as well. You're allowed to do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been doing fine with the Overdrive websites of my 6 libraries plus the Kindle app. Yesterday 5/1/23 they ended the functionality of being able to recommend books (which I use a lot). I neither need nor want Libby. I’m not going to read any books except on my Kindle app. I think it’s likely that Overdrive has terminated the website functionality merely to force people to install Libby. I don’t understand why they couldn’t have just left the website functionality in and allowed people to use Libby if they want.

I guess I have no choice except to install Libby or give up the ability to recommend books. If Libby interferes with any other functionality I’m just going to remove it and do without. This is very heavy handed of Overdrive and I’m very displeased with them.

Why do all good things have to end?

How do you have SIX libraries?!🤩 I know DC residents can get Montgomery, Alexandria, and Prince George, but what else am I missing out on?

https://library.arlingtonva.us/services/accounts-and-borrowing/get-a-free-library-card/

Click on the link above to see the list of libraries where you can get cards locally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One issue I have is that Libby does not keep track of past borrowed items. I know after 9/11 for concerns re:civil liberties, a lot of libraries stopped keeping borrowing histories (I worked in libraries back then)--but I really would like to see the list of what I have read/listened to Ober the years

My Libby has a smart tag where it stores all the books I’ve taken out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just cannot get it to send me email notifications when books are available. I know where the settings for that are and I have them all turned on. The help center suggested and turn them all off and then back on but that didn't help either. Anyone else have an issue with that?

I never tried that. My phone sends me notifications when my books are ready.