Tech Tool Review: Libby

 Hello! This week I am sharing the tech tool of Libby, a tech tool that allows users to borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and digital magazines from their public library. With just a library card, students, educators, and families can access a wide variety of reading material right from their phones, tablets, or computers. Once a book is borrowed, it downloads automatically for offline reading on your Libby app/browser. One of the best parts? No late fees! Any books or items you borrow will return itself at the end of the loan period.

Libby is especially useful in school settings where access to physical books may be limited, or where students prefer the flexibility of digital reading. Students can use their school credentials to access both their school’s digital collection and their public library’s holdings without needing a separate library card. This removes any barriers and expands access to thousands of titles, giving students more freedom to explore genres, authors, and formats they enjoy. In the school library, it would be great to have a small demo where students can learn how to sign in, browse by interest, and place holds on titles they would like to read. Libby is also perfect for classroom integration. For example, teachers could encourage students to use it for independent reading, for novel studies, or audiobook based literature circles. It’s especially helpful for students with reading challenges or those learning English, thanks to built in features like adjustable text sizes, audio narration, and even note taking tools.

There are a few things to keep in mind. Since Libby is connected to public library collections, popular books might have waitlists, and availability can vary depending on what your local library offers. There’s also no built in age filtering, so it’s important that educators and families guide students toward age appropriate materials. 

Overall, Libby is a fantastic resource that supports literacy and student choice. It meets learners where they are (at home, on the go, or in school) and helps make reading more accessible and engaging. Whether you’re looking to support summer reading, enhance research projects, or just offer students more ways to connect with books, Libby is a smart option that I’d absolutely recommend.