Libby

Libby is an app associated with your library where you are able to check out audio books, eBooks, and more all on your handheld devices.

Libby Cheat Sheet

What You'll Need

  • A smartphone, tablet, computer, or e-reader

  • Your library card number

  • Your password/pin which is the last four digits of your card number

Next

  • Go to the App Store

  • Search Libby

  • Tap Get/Install

  • Open the app once it's installed

Setup

  • Open Libby

  • It'll ask: "Do you have a library card?" → tap Yes

  • Search for Stewart County Public Library

  • Enter your library card number (and PIN, if asked)

  • Tap Sign In

Finding what you want

Browse

  • Tap the Library icon (house symbol) at the bottom

  • Scroll through featured titles, or tap Subjects to browse by genre

Search for a specific title

  • Tap the magnifying glass

  • Type the book title or author name

Check availability

  • "Borrow" button = available now

  • "Place a Hold" = currently checked out by someone else, you'll get notified when it's your turn

Borrowing

Tap the cover or title

  • Tap Borrow

  • Tap Borrow! again to confirm

  • It's now in your Shelf (bookshelf icon at the bottom)

Reading it

  • Tap Open Book to start reading right in the app

  • Or tap Read With... to send it to Kindle

Listening to an audiobook

  • Tap Open Audiobook

  • Use the play button; adjust narration speed under the settings icon in the player

Placing a Hold

  • Tap Place a Hold on an unavailable title

  • Confirm your email — Libby will notify you when it's ready

  • When notified, you'll usually have 3-5 days to borrow it before it's passed to the next person

  • Check your hold position anytime under Shelf → Holds

Tip: You can suspend a hold (delay your turn) if you're not ready — tap the hold, then "Manage Hold" → "Suspend."

Reading on a Kindle

  • Borrow the book in Libby as normal

  • Tap Open Book

  • Tap Read With... → Kindle

  • This sends you to Amazon's site — tap Get Library Book

  • Make sure your Kindle is connected to Wi-Fi; the book will download automatically

  • Note: Kindle only supports e-books, not audiobooks, through this method

Managing Your Shelf

  • Shelf icon at the bottom shows everything you have borrowed and on hold

  • Loans tab = current borrowed items

  • Holds tab = items you're waiting on

  • Tags = you can organize/save books into custom lists without borrowing them yet

Returning early

  • Tap the book cover on your Shelf → Return Now

  • (Otherwise, books return themselves automatically when the loan period ends — no late fees!)

Renewing

  • If no one else has a hold on it, a Renew Loan option appears near the due date

Common Problems

Can't find my library - Make sure you're searching the exact library name/system, not just the city

Card number not working - Check for typos, make sure card isn't expired — ask staff to verify

Book won't open - Close and reopen the app; check for app updates

Send to Kindle but not showing up - Make sure Kindle Wi-Fi is on; try "Sync" from the Kindle's home screen

Downloaded book disappeared - It likely expired at the end of the loan period — this is normal

App is asking for PIN and I don't have one - Ask library staff — this can usually be reset or bypassed