The library offers free eBooks and eAudiobooks through the Libby app, offered by OverDrive. There are no late fees. Titles are returned automatically when the checkout period expires or may be returned early. Ten items may be borrowed at a time.
eBooks and eAudiobooks are available for Androids, iPads, iPhones, iPod Touches, Kindle Fires and newer Nook Tablets. While Libby is not available in Amazon’s app store, Kindle Fire users can visit libbyapp.com to stream books using an internet connection.
What You Will Need to Read eBooks and eAudiobooks Using Libby
- Free Libby App
- Valid Fairfax County Library Card
- Internet Connection
One-Time Install of the Libby App
- Download Libby, by OverDrive from your device’s app store and follow the prompts to set up the app.
- Select whether you have a library card. If so, Search for a Library by entering your zip code and then select Fairfax County Public Library.
- Select Enter Library Account Details and enter your card number and password. Select Sign In.
- Select Next to enter the library's catalog for eBooks and eAudiobooks.
NOTE: If you borrow a title directly from our catalog, you will want to download the title directly from the Libby App or libbyapp.com.
Search, Borrow and Place Holds Using Libby
- Tap the magnifying glass at the bottom of the page to search for titles or authors.
- You can filter your search results by format or genre. Earbud icons will display for eAudiobooks.
- If you would prefer not to see titles that are checked out, select the Refine button to change the Availability from Everything to Available Now.
- If a title is available, tap Borrow. Titles may be borrowed for 21, 14 or 7 days. You may Open the Book to begin reading, Keep Browsing, or Go to Shelf to see all checked out titles. When you open a book for the first time, you will be prompted to select whether you would prefer to read using Kindle or Libby.
- Select Place a Hold if all of the digital copies are checked out. Enter your library card number and password if prompted. After receiving notification that a hold is available, choose one of the following from within the Libby app or from the notification:
1) Borrow the title within three days.
2) Select Deliver Later to stay at the front of the holds list while passing the book to the next person in line. After your chosen suspension period, you will be able to borrow the next available copy.
3) Cancel your hold.
If no action is taken within three days, your hold will be automatically suspended one time for seven days. If no action is taken a second time, the hold will be automatically canceled.
Read a Book Using the Libby App
Tap the Bookshelf icon at the bottom of the page to open your checked out titles. Swipe left or right to turn pages, or tap the middle of the screen to go Back to the Library, search within the book or set Bookmarks. Use the upper right menu to select chapters or change Reading Settings such as font size and style as well as lighting.
Return
From the Bookshelf icon screen, tap Manage Loan. Tap Return Early, then Return.
Renew
The option to renew a title becomes available three days before the title is set to expire.
From the Bookshelf icon screen, select Expiring soon. Renew? above the book cover. Select Renew Loan, then Renew. If other users are waiting you can Place a Hold on the title which allows you to request it again.
Additional Tips for Using the Libby App
To change where you would like to read eBooks, select Shelf, Actions then Read Books With... Kindle or Libby.
Visit fairfax.overdrive.com or use the OverDrive app for wish list integration and recommending titles as well as multilingual support.
