Are you an avid reader or a reluctant one? How often do you find yourself at the library? Did you know you can access thousands of free audiobooks, magazines and eBooks from your public library from the comfort of your own home?
Of course, one would prefer to stroll the aisles of a book-and-shelf, brick and mortar library. Who wouldn’t? Libraries are treasure troves. They’re filled with librarians, who are the most clever, helpful and friendly people.
The books come along with many other unconventional resources such as Walla Walla Public Library’catalog of cake molds available for loan, or the Weller Public Library’s vault.
Libraries are often quiet, but are also places of adventure, where every great hero is a distant non-fiction or a nonexistent fiction away, but also a friend close at hand. Running one’s finger along the spines of books; tracking the call numbers on small slips of paper with tiny pencils. The tactile satisfaction of real-life page turner is unforgettable.
That said, one does not always have the time for the whole to-do of the library. Or maybe there’s time, but not necessarily during business hours. Luckily there’s a library in your pocket. Gripping stories, witty allegories, and cutting prose are all at your fingertips through Washington’s Anytime Library.
The Washington Anytime Library is a consortium of resources, funneled digitally through their signature apps, OverDrive and Libby. Rather, OverDrive or Libby. You do not need to download both apps for each accesses the same catalog of titles.
Deciding which version to use is based on how you plan to access your books.
OverDrive, the original way to access the online collection, is compatible with more devices, including Kindle Fire, Macs, PCs, and Windows mobile devices. It is available as a website and as an app, so you can stream books or download them for offline use.
Use OverDrive, if:
- you have a Kindle Fire with color display
- You have a Mac
- Your PC is running Windows 7 or 8
- Your mobile device is running an older operating system, pre iOS 9 or pre Android 4.4
- You want to download an audiobook to an MP3 player
Libby is a newer app released by OverDrive. It features the same collection of titles as the OverDrive app—just a different way to access the same digital library collection. It’s also available as a website and as an app, so you can stream books or download them for offline use.
Libby is available for Android, iOS, Windows 10, some Chromebooks, and in your browser at libbyapp.com. The look and feel of Libby is slightly sleeker than OverDrive, but all the functionality carries over.
Use Libby if:
- Your smartphone or tablet is new or a couple of years old, running iOS 9+ or Android 4.4+
- Your PC or other device is running Windows 10
- Your Kindle eReader (black and white display) is new or a couple of years old
You are allowed up to five loans for fourteen days each. Titles are subject to availability. Some popular books take a while to become available, so the WAL offers each user eight holds. The app estimates Joseph Heller’s Catch-22 will take about sixteen weeks, whereas other titles show available soon.
The process for checking out books and placing holds is also basically the same between Libby and OverDrive. However, where Libby makes a bit of a leap forward over its predecessor app is that when you have a hold come in, it innately downloads into your library.
In the OverDrive app, you have to go to settings and toggle the switch to automatically download checked out holds. You only have to do that once, though. And while you’re there, other setting options such as auto play can be adjusted.
As mentioned, you do not need to download both apps but you can for compatibility’s sake. If you use a Kindle eReader for ebooks sometimes, but otherwise may want to listen to audiobooks on a different device.
Weller Public Librarian Rosie Warehime says about seventy people in Waitsburg already utilize OverDrive and Libby, which is a high user count for a rural community. The response, she says, has been overwhelmingly positive.
“People who like to go camping, people who commute can listen on their way to work, and kids are using it and they really like it,” Warehime said.
That response comes as a surprise to critics of E-readers.
Warhime says, “I was worried that it was going to take away from libraries, but it hasn’t.”
It isn’t audio/ebooks against public libraries at all; it’s a conjunction. Audiobooks serve a different purpose in their way, inserting reading into parts of the day it couldn’t previous fit before. For example, a daily commute that includes riding public transit or carpooling could be an opportunity to read a book, but a commute that involves driving would be better served by an audiobook. Neither takes the place of the real time resources a physical library provides, they are, instead, enhanced by each other.
Technology as it evolves connects us through storytelling, updating our access to the stories we crave. Visit anytime.overdrive.com to learn more.
Hello Marios:),
This is amazing bro! I love to read but with work i stopped for a while, i have always hated audiobooks but i tried it once and fell in love with it, i can listen to audiobooks while i am working indoors and even when i am working out lol.I prefer it as opposed to loud music.
This app would help me get some new books, Going over to check it out now.
Hey there,
Yeah, audiobooks are a great way to read while doing something else at the same time, I do it all the time in my car.
Thanks for stopping by!
Marios
Audio books have always been my thing. For a while now, they are what I use to clear my mind during my leisure. One good thing about it is that I get to do some exercise when I am road and also listen to good story books. When there’s going to be aburst of emotions at some point, I just stay somewhere and take it all in. I’m very excited that you can share this platforms where I can get access to what I love. I will try them out. Thank you a million.
Hey there,
Yeah, audiobooks are a great way to read while doing something else at the same time, I also do it all the time in my car.
Thanks for stopping by. Glad you liked the post 🙂
Marios
Like you have said here, one might not have time to go to the library and this is where the idea of using an ebook comes to play. I like that you have given some useful platforms that I can use to get ebooks. I do get them from a different platform before but most of the good books are up for sale. I’ll check this platforms out though since getting books here are free. I use a windows 10. I hope that cuts in.
Hey there,
I think you can find some of these apps for Win 10 as well. You should check them out.
And thanks for stopping by 🙂
Marios
You have rightly mentioned the fact that one might not have time to go to the library and this idea has just made using an ebook and audiobook become a solution to the problem of many. I like that you have given me some useful platforms that I can use to get ebooks. It’s actually also great to know that the books are free for download I think this just a laudable act by your team.
Hey Dan,
I’m glad you liked it. Indeed, being able to borrow ebooks is a great perk many libraries offer. My team and I just mentioned these libraries for all of you guys to take advantage of their offers.
Thanks for stopping by!
Marios
Hi there, I was really excited when I read about Libby and Overdrive which are fantastic ways to enjoy reading online. However, unfortunately it’s only available in N America. I am in Europe so need to find an alternative. I have used Audiobooks via Amazon which is really good. It does take a bit of getting used to and the price can put you off. If you do use it a lot then you will find it does pay for itself and is worth every penny.
Hey David,
I, too, am in Europe (Cyprus in particular), so I will try to search and find other sites for us to read. Internet Archive Collection might give you a place to start. I am also aware that the National Library of Greece offers e-reading, so other libraries might offer this as well. Have you searched for UK libraries?
Marios
This article could not have come at any better time than now when l can not visit a brick and mortar library due to Corona Virus-induced lockdown restrictions. l fell in love with Overdrive as it allows me to download ebooks into my MP3 player and listen while on the go. It is not always easy to spend hours with eyes glued on the screen of a Kindle device reading books. This offers relief to my eyes while l still enjoy the interesting stories shared via ebooks. That you for sharing, l will check out the other great Apps that you suggested.
Hey there Amos,
Being able to find free ebooks and audiobooks from sites and libraries is great during this Covid era. And I’m glad I’m helping people read. Thanks for stopping by!
Marios
I am an avid reader. For some reason, I have never heard of this ebook library. I vary my reading from week to week from something like Lee Child or another action novel to something a bit more substantial. I enjoy reading theology at times. Your advice on which app to choose is much appreciated as well. I will be using an older MAC IPad so I will make the appropriate choice. Thank you for the information.
Hey there,
I’m glad you liked the post.
Thanks for stopping by!
Marios