I hate Libby

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in Fairfax but also use Prince William overdrive. I find out upcoming releases from authors I like and recommend those books to the library, sometimes months in advance! I often get the books on their release day. I’m disappointed that I won’t automatically be added to the waitlist on Libby.

Also if I have current recommendations (nor holds) do I have to redo them on Libby?

I recommend books well ahead of their release too, and have always loved that we get added to the wait list at that point. I couldn't believe they did away with that feature on Libby.

I chimed in earlier, but I'll say again that I find Libby's graphics incomprehensible. I have to click around all over the place to find my wishlist, holds, etc. Much less intuitive than overdrive is/was.

[Anonymous]

Hi Librarian!

I'm late to this thread but you have been extremely helpful to me because I so far, dislike Libby.

I'm curious if you have any insight about the purchasing process for recommendations (or maybe you can just share what you're library does.) For example, if a library already owns an ebook for a title and the audio book is recommended, why would a library not purchase it? What are the general parameters for purchasing a recommended book? Like an earlier poster, I will often recommend books not yet released in the hope I am the first one to borrow. Some get bought, some don't - is there any particular reason why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I LOVE no fines!
They just « repossess » the book.

You just can’t imagine how that makes some of us feel.

Most libraries don’t charge overdue fees anymore, but you do still have to show up to return stuff.

My library doesn't charge overdue fees anymore, but they DO charge if you put a hold on a book and don't pick it up within a certain number of days (I want to say either 3 or 5?).

Borrowing ebooks is so much more convenient - I'll never go go back!

Oh my goodness. I guess I understand that someone had to pull the book and write your name etc. But it seems very punitive to charge you for this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do all of my ebook management on the Overdrive website and really feel in the minority reading this thread! That said, I only read on a Kindle, so I haven't needed the Overdrive app to date. Also, the book is on my phone in the Kindle app, so if I would want to read my book on the phone, I can.

I am most disappointed that the Recommendations function will no longer work on the Overdrive website and I will have to do that through Libby, which I've installed on my phone. I don't understand why that one function can only be done in the app vs website.

To those with multiple library cards, how do you have time to read everything? I would have books coming in all over the place. I will never make it through my evolving holds, purchased recommendations, and many, many, many page wish list as it is with my current Fairfax County access. The last thing I need is another library's books! Ha--wonderful problem to have. Too many books, not enough time!

You're right; there's not enough time. I read 50 to 75 books a year, so a healthy number, but I still have more checked out at one time than I can read. I do make an effort to return the ones that I'm not into.

[Anonymous]

Chiming in to thank the Librarian! I'm glad you're here! You've been very informative and helpful.

[Anonymous]

I, too, am a member of the 10 library cards club all legit! I LOVE the reciprocal agreements the local jurisdictions have!

I also like Overdrive better for all the reasons people have mentioned. I working in an IT shop that does a lot of development work. I'd love to hear more about why they would make the UI for Libby less friendly than Overdrive and with less functionality. It definitely not good product management.

[Anonymous]

I still haven't added Libby. What will happen to Overdrive on May 1? Will it just stop working? Disappear from my phone??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I still haven't added Libby. What will happen to Overdrive on May 1? Will it just stop working? Disappear from my phone??

I guess we will all find out soon.

Today is the last day to use overdrive. At least, I think it will be.

[Anonymous]

I can’t relate to this post at all. I love Libby. Also, how are you filling up an entire library card with books?

[Anonymous]

what happens to all of my holds on overdrive? Will they transfer to Libby if I also have the Libby app associated with the same card?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t relate to this post at all. I love Libby. Also, how are you filling up an entire library card with books?

Weren’t they talking about waitlist holds? You can only have ~15 per library on Libby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what happens to all of my holds on overdrive? Will they transfer to Libby if I also have the Libby app associated with the same card?

The discontinuation notice says that loans, holds, and wish list items will be "waiting for you in Libby." I hope that's true!

[Anonymous]

Yes I hate Libby, Overdrive just disappeared. CANNOT see the chapters. pages, info at top like Overdrive and the book layouts are terrible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi Librarian!

I'm late to this thread but you have been extremely helpful to me because I so far, dislike Libby.

I'm curious if you have any insight about the purchasing process for recommendations (or maybe you can just share what you're library does.) For example, if a library already owns an ebook for a title and the audio book is recommended, why would a library not purchase it? What are the general parameters for purchasing a recommended book? Like an earlier poster, I will often recommend books not yet released in the hope I am the first one to borrow. Some get bought, some don't - is there any particular reason why?

Librarian back again. Thanks for the ❤️, y’all. I hope your Libby adjustment is going well!

E-books and e-audio can be pretty expensive. Just like with any budget-limited resource, they’ll consider how much use they expect it to get. Most selectors take patron requests pretty seriously, but they also try hard to be good stewards of public funds. If similar material - the print and ebook versions of that particular book, or existing audio by that author, or other audio works in that genre - don’t circulate well, they might choose not to buy it. Or if the request is made by a reciprocal card-holder but not a resident of their system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes I hate Libby, Overdrive just disappeared. CANNOT see the chapters. pages, info at top like Overdrive and the book layouts are terrible.

I downloaded Libby last night and I hate it! Overdrive still works for a book I had been listening to, but when you click on the library the discontinuation notice is all you get.

Overdrive is so much better I can't understand why they made this decision unless it's the underlying architecture.