Free Library Books on Any Device: Libby and Hoopla, Step by Step
Last verified: August 2026
Your library card is a treasure: free e-books, audiobooks, and even movies and music, on the tablet or phone you already own. Two apps unlock it — Libby and Hoopla — and here's how to use both.
About Libby and Hoopla
Libby and Hoopla are both free apps that let you borrow from your library using just your library card — no trips, no late fees, and it all returns itself. Most libraries offer one or both, and they complement each other nicely.
Libby works like a digital branch of your library: it has strong bestseller and new-release selection plus magazines, but because it lends ‘one copy per person,' popular titles can have a waitlist (you get an alert when it's your turn). Libby also sends e-books to a Kindle if you have one.
Hoopla is the ‘instant' app: no waitlists ever, and it carries movies, TV, music, and comics in addition to e-books and audiobooks. The catch is a monthly borrow limit set by your library (a handful of items per month). Use Libby for planning ahead and Hoopla for grabbing something right now.
When to skip the DIY and just call: Getting your library card linked in both apps · Learning holds, waitlists, and borrow limits · Sending Libby books to your Kindle.
Common Questions
1 How do I get started?
- Have your library card number and PIN handy (call the library if you're unsure of the PIN).
- Install Libby and/or Hoopla from the App Store or Play Store.
- Open the app, search for your library, and sign in with your card.
- Browse and borrow — everything downloads to read or listen right in the app.
2 How does borrowing work in Libby?
- Tap Borrow to check out an available title for the standard loan period.
- If a popular book is out, tap Place Hold and Libby notifies you when it's ready.
- You can read in the app, or choose ‘Read with Kindle' to send it to your Kindle.
- Books return automatically at the end of the loan — no fees, ever.
3 How does Hoopla differ?
- Hoopla has no waitlists — everything is available instantly.
- You get a set number of borrows per month, decided by your library.
- It carries movies, TV shows, music, and comics as well as books and audiobooks.
- Great for when you want something right now, or for media beyond books.
4 Can I use both, and on which devices?
- Yes — many people keep both and use whichever has what they want.
- Both run on iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Fire tablets, and the web.
- Libby also sends e-books to Kindles; Hoopla reads in its own app.
- One library card can power both apps.
5 I have more than one library card — does that help?
- Yes! You can add several library cards (yours, a spouse's, another county's) in Libby.
- More cards can mean access to more copies and shorter waits.
- In Ohio, many residents can get cards from more than one library system.
- Ask your librarian which nearby systems you qualify to join.
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