Libby has made it so easy for me to read and listen to books and audiobooks that I'm now able to read 5-7 books a month. The UI is just so great and even discovery of books on the Library page in the app is so nicely done with curated lists etc. One tip if you are a resident of California, a lot of libraries allow you to get a Library card such as LA, San Francisco libraries etc. And Libby allows you to add multiple library cards to the app and it also has this nice feature to search a book or audiobook in one library and then see if it's available at other libraries that you have added. This way I could mostly find a book that I'd like to read rather than waiting for it to be available.
Libby also works with many other libraries around the world and a bunch of them allow signing up for an account online.
For example, Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism has a nice collection and they only require an Emirates ID which is not too hard to get for visitors. The same is true for other public libraries in the UK. It's probably a good idea to sign up for library memberships wherever you travel!
You don't need any ID or registration for the one in Berlin (voebb.de). Just pay 10€ (not sure if international credit cards are accepted) and you are good to go for a year. Even had a 3 months trial without anything recently. Has a limited English section though.
Yes you're right, getting the Emirates ID depends on the visa type. But, there are lots of expatriates and people visiting for work or school who can get it/already have it. You can also almost always sign up using a passport in person and sometimes online too.
>And Libby allows you to add multiple library cards to the app and it also has this nice feature to search a book or audiobook in one library and then see if it's available at other libraries that you have added.
>Libby has made it so easy for me to read and listen to books and audiobooks that I'm now able to read 5-7 books a month.
I use Overdrive.com and not Libby, because I do all my reading on a physical Kindle. Two unexpected things I found after buying it:
1. How easy it is (as an American holder of multiple library cards) to find a book. If I see a book mentioned that sounds interesting, I can
* Go to overdrive.com
* Search across all the libraries I have a card at for the book
* Go to one of the libraries in the list of results
* Either
* borrow the book, or
* if no copy is available, put myself on the hold list, and check another library in the above list
Once I borrow the book, it automatically gets sent to my Kindle. The next time I pick up the device (typically in bed at night), the book and anything else I've sent to it is waiting for me.
2. How easy it is to switch between books. I almost never read an ebook straight through. I am constantly switching between it and other books I also have borrowed. Of course you can do that with physical books, but the lack of friction in switching between ebooks on the same device makes doing so so quick and easy that there's no comparison.
I have LA library card and I don't live in LA. So here are the details on their page[1]:
How do I get a library card?
"To receive a library card you can fill out an application in person at any Los Angeles Public Library location, or download the application form , fill it out and bring it in to any location, or pre-register over the Internet by visiting the Library's Web Pre-Registration Page. If you only want access to online resources, and are a resident of the City of Los Angeles, you can get an eCard online. Library cards are free for California residents."
Looks like they allow you to get a library card in person at the library if you're not living in LA. They just don't allow you to get the card online. I got my Card when I visited their main library in LA.
Yep; this is -most- California library systems. A few are more stringent; Beverly Hills' library, for instance, requires proof of residency within LA County, not just anywhere in the state. But all require an in person visit (I got a San Diego card on a trip there a couple years back; will renew when next in San Diego).
