Connect your library card to the Books app on your device
iTunes itself no longer handles library books — Apple replaced it with the Books app in 2019. Your library card connects through the Books app, which works on iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers. The app is free and comes pre-installed on most Apple devices, or you can read it from the App Store.
When you open Books and look for library content, the app asks you to sign in with your library card number and PIN. Your library provides both of these when you get a card. Some libraries use your card number alone; others require a separate PIN you set up online or at the desk. If you are not sure which one your library uses, call them or check their website before you start.
The connection is direct between your device and your library's system. Apple does not hold your login information — it passes through to your library's servers each time you search for or borrow a book. This means you stay logged in on that device, but you will need to sign in separately on any other device you use.
Key Takeaways
- Use the Books app (not iTunes) to borrow library books and audiobooks on Apple devices.
- Your library card number and PIN are what you need to sign in — get these from your library if you do not have them.
- You sign in once per device, and the app remembers your library account on that device going forward.
- Books you borrow through your library expire automatically on the due date, so you do not have to return them manually.
- If your library uses OverDrive or Libby, you may also see those apps as a separate way to borrow — both work alongside the Books app.
Finding your library card number and PIN
Your library card number is printed on the front of your physical card. If you have a digital library card through your library's website or app, the number appears there too. The PIN is usually a four-digit code you create when you first get a card, or it may be the last four digits of your phone number — libraries vary.
If you cannot find either one, your library's website almost always has a way to look them up. Log into your account on the library's website using your email address and password, and both your card number and PIN will be visible. If the website does not show the PIN, call the library directly — they can tell you what it is or reset it for you on the spot.
Some libraries do not use a PIN at all. If you try to sign in and the Books app only asks for your card number, that is normal — just leave the PIN field blank or skip it.
Signing in to the Books app for the first time
Open the Books app and tap the account icon in the bottom right corner (it looks like a person in a circle). Tap "Sign In" and choose "Library" from the menu. The app will ask you to enter your library's name or location. Start typing your city or library name, and a list of libraries will appear — select yours from the dropdown.
Once you select your library, you will see fields for your card number and PIN. Enter both exactly as your library provided them — spaces, dashes, and capital letters matter. Tap "Sign In" and wait for the app to connect to your library's system. This usually takes a few seconds.
If the app says your information is incorrect, double-check that you entered it exactly right, including any spaces or dashes. If you are still stuck, go to your library's website and verify the number and PIN there, or call the library to confirm you have the right credentials.
Searching for and borrowing books through your library
Once you are signed in, tap the search icon at the bottom of the Books app and search for any title. The app will show you results from the Apple Books store, but look for a section labeled "Library" or "Available at Your Library" — that is where your library's copies appear. If your library has the book, you will see a "Borrow" button instead of a "Buy" button.
Tap "Borrow" and the book downloads to your device when ready. You can start reading right away. The app keeps track of when the book is due — usually 14 or 21 days, depending on your library's policy — and it will remind you a few days before the due date.
When the due date arrives, the book automatically disappears from your device. You do not have to do anything to return it. If you want to return it early, open the book in your library, tap the three dots in the top right, and select "Return." The book will be available for other people to borrow when ready.
Borrowing audiobooks through your library
The Books app also lets you borrow audiobooks if your library offers them. Search for a title the same way you would for a regular book. If your library has an audiobook version, you will see a "Borrow" button next to it. Tap it and the audiobook downloads.
Audiobooks in the Books app play through the built-in audiobook player. You can adjust the playback speed, set a sleep timer, and bookmark sections. The same due date rules explore — the audiobook expires automatically when the loan period ends.
Some libraries also offer audiobooks through separate apps like Libby or OverDrive. If you see audiobooks in those apps but not in Books, that is because your library has set them up in a different system. You can use whichever app you prefer — they all connect to the same library account.
What to do if your library does not appear in the list
Not every library system is set up to work with the Books app yet. If you search for your library and it does not appear, your library may use a different system like OverDrive, Libby, or Hoopla instead. These are separate apps that work the same way — you sign in with your library card and borrow books the same process.
Check your library's website to see which apps they support. Most libraries list their digital borrowing options on the main page or under a heading like "Digital Library" or "eBooks and Audiobooks." If you are not sure, email or call the library and ask which app to use for books and audiobooks.
If your library does support the Books app but it is not showing up in the search, try searching by the full official name of your library system rather than a nickname. For example, search for "New York Public Library" instead of just "NYPL." If that still does not work, your library may have recently added Books support and the app may not have updated yet — try again in a few days or restart your device and try the search again.
Troubleshooting sign-in problems
If you enter your card number and PIN correctly but the app says they are wrong, the most common cause is a space or dash you missed. Copy and paste your information directly from your library's website into the Books app instead of typing it by hand — this eliminates typos.
If copy and paste does not work, your library's system may be temporarily down. Wait a few minutes and try again. If the problem continues, restart the Books app completely — close it fully and open it again. If you still cannot sign in after that, contact your library. They can check whether your account is active and whether the Books app connection is working on their end.
Some libraries require you to set up your card online before you can use it in apps. If you just got a new card, log into your library's website first and make sure your account is set up. Once that is done, try signing in to the Books app again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same library account on multiple devices?
Yes. Sign in with your library card number and PIN on each device separately. Your library account is the same across all your devices, so books you borrow on one device appear in your library on another device. However, you must sign in to each device individually — the app does not automatically sync your login across devices.
What happens if I do not return a book by the due date?
Library books in the Books app expire automatically on the due date and disappear from your device. You cannot read them after that, and there are no late fees. If you want to keep reading, you can borrow the book again after it expires, though you may have to wait if other people are ahead of you in the queue.
Can I lend a library book to someone else?
No. Library books in the Books app are locked to your account and cannot be shared or transferred to another person's device. Each person needs to sign in with their own library card to borrow books.
Do I need an Apple ID to use the Books app with my library?
You need an Apple ID to read and use the Books app itself, but you do not need one to sign in with your library card. Your library login is separate from your Apple ID. You can have an Apple ID and a library account that are completely different.
What if I want to buy books instead of borrowing them?
The Books app lets you do both. Search for a title, and if your library has it, you will see a "Borrow" button. If you want to own the book instead, tap "Buy" and purchase it through Apple Books. Your purchased books stay in your library forever, while borrowed books expire on the due date.