Sunday Edition: Everything You Need to Know About the Libby Library App

The Sunday Edition is Tuesday’s little sister—off-the-cuff updates I’d bring up over a coffee catch-up with a friend.

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This conversation all started when my friend Stephanie moved back to Fresno from Hawaii and told me she was spending tons of money on audiobooks. I mentioned the free Libby app, and she was stunned. So I put together this guide to help readers discover how to borrow e‑books and audiobooks for free, straight from your local library.

What Is Libby?

Libby is the free app from OverDrive that connects you to your local library’s digital collection. It lets you:

• Borrow e‑books, audiobooks, magazines, even comics.

• Download titles for offline reading. Great for flights or road trips.

• Never pay late fees, items simply expire automatically.

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Step-by-Step: Using Libby in Fresno County

1. Download Libby
   Find it on iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, or go to libbyapp.com on desktop

2. Add Fresno County Public Library

   • Tap Menu → Add Library

   • Search “Fresno County Public Library” or enter your zip code

   • Select it from the results

   • Enter your library card number and PIN

3. Browse & Borrow

   • Use Search for a specific title or author

   • Or explore curated collections (e.g., romance, mystery, magazines)

   • Tap Borrow to download immediately, or Place a hold if it’s checked out

   • You’ll get a hold notification; you have 3 days to borrow once available

4. Manage Holds & Tags

   • Use Delay delivery or Suspend all holds to spread out your reading schedule

   • Create Tags like "To Read" to bookmark books, then filter by availability

5. Enjoy Offline
   Titles automatically download over Wi‑Fi. After your loan ends, they disappear, no overdue worries

6. Use Multiple Library Cards

   • Add multiple Fresno cards (yours, spouse’s, kids’) or libraries using Manage Library

   • Libby will show availability and wait times across all your cards without logging in and out

7. Bonus Features

   • E‑books can be sent to Kindle or other e‑readers.

   • Discover digital magazines, comics, and even streaming extras via your library.

Bonus Features & Tips

• Skip the Line (“Lucky Day”) copies let you grab instant access to popular titles for a shorter loan (usually 7 days)

• Samples let you preview any title before borrowing

• Formats reminder: Some e-books aren't Kindle-compatible, if “Read with Kindle” isn’t available, open it in Libby

• Send to Kindle: For compatible books, Libby sends them straight to your Kindle device or Kindle app

• Track hold lengths: Hold wait times are visible next to titles when browsing or holding

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Resources for Other States

• Most U.S. libraries use Libby, and Fresno is part of the San Joaquin Valley Library System, so if you have a county card elsewhere, you'll get access too

• In California, many counties offer nonresident library cards, some charge fees, others grant e‑access only

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Share this post with anyone spending too much on audiobooks. Let me know what you borrow, I’d love to swap recommendations!

12 Audiobook Recommendations That Will Draw You In

Bonus Tip:

If you’re a Spotify Premium member, you now get 15 hours of audiobook listening each month included in your subscription. It's a great backup for new releases that might have long holds on Libby, or for those books you’re not quite ready to commit to borrowing. Just open the Spotify app, go to “Audiobooks,” and browse what’s available.

The Second Act is an entirely reader-supported publication written and created by Danielle Wraith. Click here to subscribe or gift a friend a subscription here (if a friend sent you this —tell them thanks!). Anything you want covered? Questions? Reply with a comment below! You can also find me on Instagram. Please come say hi!