Did you know you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks from the library for free? While plenty of people enjoy the experience of reading a physical book, many prefer the convenience of getting these materials on an electronic device. The library offers a vast digital collection for you to choose from – all without leaving your couch!
Two resources – Libby and Hoopla – are available to the J.V. Fletcher Library’s patrons. If you’ve been paying for your electronic books and audiobooks, it’s time to give one (or both!) of these platforms a try.
Table of Contents
Overview -- Libby verus Hoopla
The library offers two digital media services in order to give patrons access to a wide selection of materials.
The main advantage of Libby is that you can borrow new releases and popular items. The biggest disadvantage: you may have to wait your turn! Just like with a physical copy of a book, only one person can use one licensed digital copy at a time. The library purchases these digital licenses based on the town’s needs and preferences.
The main advantage of Hoopla: there is no wait time. All titles are available instantly, and multiple people can borrow the same book at the same time. The reason? Hoopla is a “pay-per-use” service. Instead of buying a full license, the library pays a small fee each time an item is checked out. The biggest disadvantage of Hoopla is that the titles tend to be a bit older.
See the chart below for a side-by-side comparison of Libby and Hoopla, and read on to find out more about each platform.
Meet Libby -- Not Your Mama's Pumpkin Pie Filling
With your library card and the Libby app, you can find your next read 24/7. If you want to enjoy a slice of pie while you’re at it, that’s up to you!
The J.V. Fletcher Library is part of a regional network called the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC), giving you access to thousands of titles across all genres.
Getting Started
Follow these steps to set up Libby:
Download the Libby app from the app store on your phone or tablet
Follow the prompts and search for the J. V. Fletcher Library
Sign in with your library card and PIN
If you cannot find your library card, do not know your PIN, or need assistance downloading and configuring the app, please stop by the front desk or call Information Services at 978-399-2304 for assistance.
Additional details about Libby (and its associated database, called OverDrive) are available on the eCollection section of the J.V. Fletcher Library website.
Borrowing a Title
Now that you’ve signed up, it’s time to find a book to enjoy.
On the home screen of the Libby app, you can browse by category or search for a specific title. Just like with a physical library, there are a limited number of copies of each title. If the book you are interested in cannot be checked out right away, the app will give you an estimate of how long it may be before it is your turn.
HINT: If you want to look for books with no wait time, you can filter your search by items that are “available now.”
When the wait is over, you will receive a notification. If it is not a convenient time for you to start the book, you can defer to the next person on the list and still remain at the front of the line. You may defer your turn twice for a particular title.
This hold was ready in two days instead of the estimated two weeks. Lucky me!
The maximum loan period for an eBook or audiobook is three weeks. You may borrow five titles at a time, and you may have 10 titles on hold at a time.
Reading or Listening
You can read your book directly in the Libby app, or, when available, you can transfer it to your Amazon account and read it on a Kindle device or app. Your choices will vary depending on the title.
Libby’s ebook reader is robust and fully customizable. Books transferred to Kindle function the same way purchased ebooks do.
Audiobooks can be opened and played in the Libby app.
Returning a Title
Your book will automatically be returned to the library at the end of your loan period. If you finish the book sooner – I powered through Lisa Jewell’s Watching You (above) in six days – you can return it early and allow someone else to borrow it. Returning early also benefits you. Since you can only check out five digital books at a time, an early return frees up a slot against this limit.
Get Excited About Hoopla
If you are about to board a plane and need something to read right away, take a look at Hoopla. You can immediately borrow any title you like – no delays. Hopefully the same can be said for your flight.
Personally, I like to have an eBook and audiobook version of a title at the same time, so I can switch between reading and listening. Sometimes, if the audiobook is available right away on Libby, but there is a wait for the eBook, I’ll check to see if I can get it on Hoopla. It’s a win win.
Getting Started
To register for Hoopla, you’ll need your library card number and PIN, as well as your email address.
Visit the Hoopla website or download the Hoopla app on your preferred device. Follow the prompts to sign up.
If you cannot find your library card, do not know your PIN, or need assistance downloading and configuring the app, please stop by the front desk or call Information Services at 978-399-2304 for assistance.
Additional details about Hoopla are available on the eCollection section of the J.V. Fletcher Library website. You can also watch this instructional video to see Hoopla in action.
Borrowing a Title
The Hoopla home screen suggests popular titles and new additions. If you are not feeling enthusiastic about any of these (see what I did there?), go ahead and use the Search feature.
Once you find something you like, it’s as easy as clicking the BORROW button. You’ll be able to immediately stream or download the title, and keep it for 21 days.
Start enjoying this classic right away!
Reading or Listening
If you have borrowed an eBook, you will use the built-in reading in the Hoopla app to enjoy it.
The first time you access a book, click the DOWNLOAD button to open it in the e-reader. After this initial download, use the RESUME button any time you want to continue reading.
HINT: If you do not want to download the book to your device, you can log in to your Hoopla account on a web browser and stream your book from there.
Hoopla books cannot be sent to Kindle.
If you have borrowed an audiobook, you will listen to it in the Hoopla app. You can download or stream your title.
Hoopla audiobook player
Returning a Title
Your selection will automatically be returned after 21 days. There is no benefit to returning it early, since your selection has already been counted towards your 10-item-per-month limit. And there is no one waiting in line behind you. (Not like that guy trying to de-plane who is invading your personal space.)
Final Thoughts
Today’s libraries offer many ways to enjoy books, and the J.V. Fletcher is no exception. While we love it when patrons stop by, we understand that this is not always convenient. Libby and Hoopla give you access to the titles you want, wherever and whenever it suits you. Happy reading!