Skip to Main Content
Fairfax County logo

eBooks, eAudio, eMags & Streaming: Tech Help

Thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks available anytime and from anywhere you have internet access—free with your library card! Last Updated: Sep 20, 2024 4:34 PM

Libby, by OverDrive for Kindle

You may borrow 10 items at a time and there are no late fees. eMagazine checkouts are unlimited. You may place up to 15 holds at a time.  

The Libby app and libbyapp.com can be used interchangeably. 

Using a Kindle Fire that runs Fire OS 5.0+? You can now download the Libby app directly from the Amazon app store to use OverDrive on your Kindle Fire! Find a list of compatible devices here: bit.ly/fcpllibbyfire

What you will need

  • Valid Fairfax County Public Library card and Password (PIN). Use the card's barcode, not your username
  • Amazon.com account (know your login and password)
  • Kindle Fire or Kindle eReader
  • For Kindle B/W eReaders including Paperwhites - a device with Wi-Fi access or a PC with Wi-Fi and a USB port to transfer the eBook
  • Operating System and Browser
    • Android 7.1.1+, iOS 10+ or Fire OS 5+.
    • Latest version of Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge for libbyapp.com

 

Libby for Kindle B/W eReaders

Kindle Paperwhites and other B/W eReaders require the use of a device with internet to access to libbyapp.com.

  • On a PC, laptop, or phone with Wi-Fi access, open libbyapp.com in any browser.
  • Do you have a library card? > Yes.
  • Tap Search For A Library: enter your zip code. Tap Fairfax County Public Library.
  • Tap Sign In With My Card, then enter your library card number and password.
  • Tap Sign In to use Libby.

Search & Borrow

Images of the footer with icons for Search, Library, Menu, Shelf and Timer.

  • Tap the Search icon from Libby's footer to search for a title or author.
  • Select options below Explore with Filters to browse or limit your search. Tap for more filters. Tap icon or < to return to the main search page. 
  • Tap Borrow on available items. Tap Borrow! to confirm.
  • Select Go to Shelf. Next to the title you want to read, tap Read With then select Kindle Apps & Devices.
  • An Amazon page will open in a new window. Enter your Amazon account information if necessary.
  • Proceed with the following instructions for transferring via Wi-Fi or USB.

Transfer to a Kindle Via Wi-Fi

If necessary, sign into your Amazon account to access your Kindle Store.

  • Select your device from Deliver To and then select Get Library Book.
  • The eBook will download to your Wi-Fi enabled Kindle device.
    • If the title does not show up automatically, you will need to Sync your device.
    • To sync, select More or look in your Kindle or Kindle App settings to find and select Sync.
  • To locate and read your eBook, look for it in the Home or Library tab of your Kindle or Kindle app.

Transfer to a Kindle via USB

If you Kindle does not have Wi-Fi capability, you will need to transfer your eBook from a PC via USB.

  • On a PC, sign into your Amazon account to access your Kindle Store.
  • Select your device from Deliver To and then select Get Library Book.
  • Next, select the Manage Your Content and Devices link from the confirmation screen or select Content & Devices under Account and Lists in the Amazon menu.
  • Select More Actions to the right of a title, then select Download & transfer via USB. Choose your Kindle and select Download.
  • Connect your Kindle to your PC using a USB cable. Open the Kindle drive that appears on your PC.
  • Your saved file will be under Downloads on your PC. Copy and paste or drag the file into the Documents or Books folder of the Kindle drive.
  • Depending on the device, look for the title in your Kindle’s Home, Books or Library tab.

Read

Read your Libby items the same way you read any other eBook on your Kindle.

  • For Kindle Fires using the Libby app, check out FCPL’s Libby app handout or help page: bit.ly/fcpllibby.
  • Libby provides access to eMagazines and eAudiobooks as well as eBooks. Further details can also be found in FCPL’s Libby app handout.

Return

  • Items are returned automatically at the end of their checkout period. 
  • Items can be returned early from Shelf in the footer. Tap Manage Loan, tap Return Early, then Return.

Tips

  • Search, check out and download titles directly from the Libby app or libbyapp.com rather than checking them out from our regular catalog.
  • A pop-up blocker may interfere with your ability to download a Kindle title directly from our library catalog. Try allowing pop-ups on your device or download the title directly from libbyapp.com.
  • To make sure a title is available in Kindle format before borrowing it, tap the book cover of your desired title in Libby, scroll down to Supports, and look for Kindle.

 

Libby for Kindle Fire

Download and open Libby, by OverDrive from the Amazon app store. You will need to have Fire OS 5.0+ and a compatible Fire tablet. Find a list of those devices here: bit.ly/fcpllibbyfire

You can also open libbyapp.com in a browser on your Kindle Fire to use Libby.

SEARCH & BORROW

Images of the footer with icons for Search, Library, Menu, Shelf and Timer.

  • Tap the Search icon from Libby's footer to search for a title or author.
  • Select options below Explore with Filters to browse or limit your search. Tap for more filters. Tap  icon or < to return to the main search page. 
  • Tap Borrow on available items. Tap Borrow! to confirm.
  • Select Go to Shelf. Next to the title you want to read, tap Read With  then select Kindle Apps & Devices.
  • An Amazon page will open in a new window. Enter your Amazon account information if necessary.
  • Proceed with the following instructions for transferring via Wi-Fi or USB.

Read

Read your Libby items the same way you read any other eBook on your Kindle.

  • For Kindle Fires using the Libby app, check out FCPL’s Libby app handout or help page: bit.ly/fcpllibby.
  • Libby provides access to eMagazines and eAudiobooks as well as eBooks. Further details can also be found in FCPL’s Libby app handout.

Return

  • Items are returned automatically at the end of their checkout period. 
  • Items can be returned early from Shelf in the footer. Tap Manage Loan, tap Return Early, then Return.

Tips

  • Search, check out and download titles directly from the Libby app or libbyapp.com rather than checking them out from our regular catalog.
  • A pop-up blocker may interfere with your ability to download a Kindle title directly from our library catalog. Try allowing pop-ups on your device or download the title directly from libbyapp.com.
  • To make sure a title is available in Kindle format before borrowing it, tap the book cover of your desired title in Libby, scroll down to Supports, and look for Kindle.
Fairfax County seal