eBooks, eAudio, eMags & Streaming: Tech Help

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

Fire tablet users can access eMagazines with unlimited checkouts.  

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

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)
• Fire Tablet or Kindle eInk Reader
• Latest version of Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge for libbyapp.com

Most Kindle eInk Readers (such as Paperwhites) require the use of an internet-connected device to access the Libby app or libbyapp.com. You must first borrow the book there and then send it to your Kindle. 

1. On a PC, laptop, tablet or phone, open the Libby app or go to libbyapp.com in any browser.  

2. To set up your Libby account, answer Do you have a library card? > Yes. 

3. Tap Search For A Library, then enter your zip code. Tap Fairfax County Public Library. 

4. Tap Sign In With My Card, enter your library card number and password. Tap Sign In to use Libby.  

Icons in Libby's Footer

Search & Borrow 

1. Tap in the Libby app or libbyapp.com to search for a title or author.
2. Select options below Catalog Filters to browse or limit your search.
3. Select the ‘kindle’ heading under Catalog Filters to restrict results to Kindle only. To pin this filter for future searches, tap  next to ‘kindle’ on the next screen. Tap pin  to save this filter.
4. Scroll to browse your search results or Tap   for more filters. After you have selected filters, Tap      to view your search results.
5. Tap Borrow on available titles. Tap Borrow again to confirm.
6. Select Go to Shelf. Next to the title you want to read, tap Read With … then select Kindle Apps & Devices.
7. An Amazon page will open in a new window. If you are not already signed in to your Amazon account, sign in.
8. Tap Get Library Book. The eBook will download to your Wi-Fi enabled Kindle device.
9. To locate and read your eBook, look for it in the Home or Library tab of your Kindle or Kindle app.
10. If the title does not appear, you may need to Sync your device.
    • From the home screen, swipe down to open the Quick Actions or select Menu.
    • Select the Sync icon or the Sync and Check for Items option.

Older Kindles without Wi-Fi

Beginning February 2025, Amazon no longer allows eBook transfers via USB from a PC or laptop or other device. Kindles must have Wi-Fi in order to work with Libby eBooks.

Read

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

To locate and read your Libby eBook, look for it in the Home or Library tab of your Kindle or Kindle app.

Return

Items are returned automatically at the end of their checkout period. 

You can return Items early from your Kindle device, Kindle app, or on Amazon’s website (via Libby).

• In Libby, go to Shelf.
  • Select Manage Loan > Return Early > Return with Kindle.
• From the Amazon site, tap either Return This Book or Return It Now.
  • Select Yes to confirm.
• In Libby, select Yes, I’ve Returned It to remove the title from your Shelf.
• More help here: bit.ly/fcplkindlereturn  

Tips

• A pop-up blocker may interfere with your ability to download a Kindle title directly from our library catalog.
  • We highly suggest that you search, check out and download titles directly from the Libby app or libbyapp.com or
  • You can try allowing pop-ups on your device
• For help reading on your device (like how to change the font or save a bookmark), visit Amazon Device Support.
• Libby app on iPhone allows you to add an email address for notifications. Android users can add an email address via libbyapp.com in a browser.
• Most Kindle eInk readers will not connect to Wi-Fi networks that have a Terms of Service page like FCPL. If you check something out in Libby while you are in a library branch, the title won’t download until you are connected to a Wi-Fi network that does not have this requirement.

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

ICONS IN LIBBY’S FOOTER 

Search & Borrow 

1. Tap in the Libby app or libbyapp.com to search for a title or author.
2. Select options below Catalog Filters to browse or limit your search.
3. Select the ‘kindle’ heading under Catalog Filters to restrict results to Kindle only. To pin this filter for future searches, tap  next to ‘kindle’ on the next screen. Tap pin  to save this filter.
4. Scroll to browse your search results or Tap   for more filters. After you have selected filters, Tap      to view your search results.
5. Tap Borrow on available titles. Tap Borrow again to confirm.
6. Select Go to Shelf. Next to the title you want to read, tap Read With … then select Kindle Apps & Devices.
7. An Amazon page will open in a new window. If you are not already signed in to your Amazon account, sign in.
8. Tap Get Library Book. The eBook will download to your device.
9. To locate and read your eBook, look for it in the Home or Library tab of your Kindle or Kindle app.
10. If the title does not appear, you may need to Sync your device.
    • From the home screen, swipe down to open the Quick Actions or select Menu.
    • Select the Sync icon or the Sync and Check for Items option.

Read

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

To locate and read your Libby eBook, look for it in the Home or Library tab of your Kindle or Kindle app.

Return

Items are returned automatically at the end of their checkout period. 

You can return Items early from your Kindle device, Kindle app, or on Amazon’s website (via Libby).

• In Libby, go to Shelf.
  • Select Manage Loan > Return Early > Return with Kindle.
• From the Amazon site, tap either Return This Book or Return It Now.
  • Select Yes to confirm.
• In Libby, select Yes, I’ve Returned It to remove the title from your Shelf.
• More help here: bit.ly/fcplkindlereturn  

Tips

• A pop-up blocker may interfere with your ability to download a Kindle title directly from our library catalog.
  • We highly suggest that you search, check out and download titles directly from the Libby app or libbyapp.com or
  • You can try allowing pop-ups on your device
• For help reading on your device (like how to change the font or save a bookmark), visit Amazon Device Support.
• Libby app on iPhone allows you to add an email address for notifications. Android users can add an email address via libbyapp.com in a browser.
• Most Kindle eInk readers will not connect to Wi-Fi networks that have a Terms of Service page like FCPL. If you check something out in Libby while you are in a library branch, the title won’t download until you are connected to a Wi-Fi network that does not have this requirement.