I hate Libby

[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.

Yes, just tap on the center of the bottom margin where your current chapter number is displayed and the table of contents appears.

[Anonymous]

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?

[Anonymous]

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?

On the flip side, it didn't make sense that some things were in Overdrive and not in Libby. I've been using Libby for years and love it.

We all adapt to new websites and apps all the time. It'll be okay!

[Anonymous]

Libby is an insult to this former Overdrive user. Libby's childish, ugly graphics are offensive. Using the Libby platform is like fishing your favorite books out of a garbage dump.

[Anonymous]

I’m also struggling with the transition to Libby. The only advantage I’ve seen so far is that it seems like my holds SOAR to the top with Libby. I got a new title on the release date through Libby. That never happened with Overdrive, even when I “recommended” a title in advance of release.

I HATE the “tags” interface. What is this even for?!

[Anonymous]

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?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

I’m in a different state. I’m in county territory outside two nearby cities and I’m eligible for accounts in all three, plus some more accounts in other cities in my state that require only state residency. I didn’t even mention other accounts out of state that I never use, which haven’t been canceled.

You can’t be too good looking, have too much money, or too many library cards! 🤣

[Anonymous]

The carrying on here makes me worry about people’s resilience. It’s a new app. No one has hurt you. You are smart and can handle this.

If Libby is such a tremendous challenge, I guess you can stop reading ebooks.

[Anonymous]

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?

You can use Libby to find and check out books and then read them on your Kindle app.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can use Libby to find and check out books and then read them on your Kindle app.

I’m planning on using Libby ONLY to recommend books.

Overdrive is both an app AND a website where each library has their own sub-site. I deleted my Overdrive app a few months ago because I never use it. I have been using the website to search, reserve, check out and recommend books, then download to Kindle for reading.

The website has been working fine until they recently crippled it to force people to install Libby. They could have left the functionality in the website but probably need to force people to use Libby because it’s not very popular.

I challenge anyone who is using Overdrive or Libby to try Kindle and tell me if you get a better reading experience. Remove it if you don’t like it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can use Libby to find and check out books and then read them on your Kindle app.

I’m planning on using Libby ONLY to recommend books.

Overdrive is both an app AND a website where each library has their own sub-site. I deleted my Overdrive app a few months ago because I never use it. I have been using the website to search, reserve, check out and recommend books, then download to Kindle for reading.

The website has been working fine until they recently crippled it to force people to install Libby. They could have left the functionality in the website but probably need to force people to use Libby because it’s not very popular.

I challenge anyone who is using Overdrive or Libby to try Kindle and tell me if you get a better reading experience. Remove it if you don’t like it.

I read in the Libby app for years in my ipad before installing the Kindle app and then buying a Kindle. I agree that the Kindle reading experience is better, but I prefer Libby's display just saying how many pages are left in a chapter over Kindle's variety of displays. It's not a big deal, though. I love that Kindle transfers all my highlights to Goodreads, so I can look back on interesting passages long after I've returned the book via Libby.

[Anonymous]

You can access your Kindle highlights via My Devices Content on your Amazon account.

I read about one page per minute so pages left is same as minutes left.

Everyone should understand that I’m not complaining about apps. I’m complaining about Overdrive sabotaging the functionality of their website.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can use Libby to find and check out books and then read them on your Kindle app.

I’m planning on using Libby ONLY to recommend books.

Overdrive is both an app AND a website where each library has their own sub-site. I deleted my Overdrive app a few months ago because I never use it. I have been using the website to search, reserve, check out and recommend books, then download to Kindle for reading.

The website has been working fine until they recently crippled it to force people to install Libby. They could have left the functionality in the website but probably need to force people to use Libby because it’s not very popular.

I challenge anyone who is using Overdrive or Libby to try Kindle and tell me if you get a better reading experience. Remove it if you don’t like it.

I posted earlier and mentioned only managing my books through the Overdrive website, and never used the app. As as early adopter of the Kindle, I never realized until this thread that so many read their ebooks using the overdrive app (now libby) on their phone or ipad. I poked around Libby and don't see myself ever using it, except to recommend books, if I even continue doing that now that it's not as easy and not done within the website. I can't get figure out why recommendations, and only recommendations, can't be done on the website. For the first time in a long time, I did read my book on my phone, through the Kindle app--it's cool how easily it syncs when I pick up my Kindle again.

To the librarian who shared how recommendations are purchased, thanks! I get frustrated when all the books in a series are available in ebook EXCEPT for a random book in the middle of the series. Why would a library buy books 1-3 and 5-7, but not book 4?!

[Anonymous]

To those who live in Montgomery County, can you please share how to get additional library cards? I have googled but it seems like you need to show proof of residency?

Thank you for any help. I feel so dumb.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To those who live in Montgomery County, can you please share how to get additional library cards? I have googled but it seems like you need to show proof of residency?

I’m not from that locale but the process is the same everywhere. You visit library sites of your city, county, township, etc., and those nearby, and read their membership requirements. Most (probably all) limit users geographically to those who live or work in their area. Some libraries allow membership to anyone residing in the state. Some allow online activation, others require you to visit a branch and show identification.

I have a few rarely used accounts that I got in person away from home where I lived or worked for a time. I have lost a few more that required me to renew in person and I was unable. I use mainly 3 accounts, all with branches close enough for me to get physical books. A fourth account at some distance in my state allowed e-card online registration with drivers license number to authenticate.

I suggest that people should not try to get accounts at libraries where they do meet residency requirements because it’s wrong. Some libraries have non-resident accounts for $20-$50/year although many require a visit to complete registration.