Your library card gives you access to multiple audiobook services at no cost
Most public libraries offer free audiobooks through at least two platforms, and many offer three or four. The main services are Libby (which connects to OverDrive's catalog), Hoopla, Audiobooks Plus, and sometimes Scribd or Kanopy. You do not need to visit the building — you read an app, enter your library card number, and start listening when ready. The catch is that popular titles have waiting lists, sometimes weeks long, but less-known books are usually available right away.
Each service works differently. Libby lets you place holds on titles and get notified when they become available. Hoopla has no waiting list but a smaller selection. Audiobooks Plus charges nothing but limits how many you can borrow per month. Knowing which service has what you want saves frustration.
Key Takeaways
- Libby is the largest audiobook service through libraries and has the most popular titles, but popular books have waiting lists that can stretch weeks.
- Hoopla has no waiting list and when ready access, but carries fewer titles than Libby and some libraries do not offer it.
- You need only your library card number to sign up for any service — no visit to the library building is required.
- Audiobooks Plus and other smaller services exist through some libraries and work best for niche or backlist titles with shorter waits.
- Waiting lists move faster if you follow authors you like and hold multiple titles at once, since one will usually become available first.
How to set up Libby, the largest audiobook service
read the Libby app (available on iPhone, Android, and web browser) and tap "Sign up." Choose your library from the dropdown — if your library is not listed, it does not participate in OverDrive. Enter your library card number and PIN (usually your birth date or the last four digits of your phone number, depending on your library's setup). You are now logged in.
Search for a title. If it is available, you can borrow it when ready for 14 days. If it has a waiting list, tap "Place a hold" and you will be notified when it reaches the front of the queue. You can hold up to 50 titles at once. Popular books like new releases from major publishers can have 200-person waiting lists, but they move faster than you might expect because each person holds the book for only two weeks.
When a hold becomes available, you have 48 hours to borrow it or you lose your place. Set a phone reminder so you do not miss the window. You can listen on the app itself or send the audiobook to other apps like Apple Books or Audible (though Audible integration is limited).
Hoopla: when ready access with a smaller catalog
Hoopla is owned by the same company as Libby but works completely differently. read the Hoopla app, sign in with your library card, and borrow audiobooks when ready with no waiting list. You can keep each book for 21 days, and there is no limit on how many you can borrow at once.
The trade-off is selection. Hoopla has fewer audiobooks than Libby, especially for recent releases and bestsellers. It is strongest for older titles, nonfiction, and independent publishers. If you search for a book on Hoopla and it is not there, try Libby instead. Not all libraries offer Hoopla — check your library's website to see if it is available to you.
Audiobooks Plus and other smaller services
Some libraries offer Audiobooks Plus (also called Audiobooks.com Plus), which has no waiting list but limits you to a set number of borrows per month — often three to five. The selection is smaller than Libby but larger than Hoopla. It works well if you listen to one or two audiobooks a month and want to avoid waiting lists entirely.
A few libraries also offer Scribd (a subscription service that libraries sometimes provide free access to) or Kanopy (which focuses on documentaries and educational content but includes some audiobooks). Check your library's website under "Digital Resources" or "eBooks and Audiobooks" to see what is available to you. Most libraries list all their services in one place.
What to do when a popular title has a long waiting list
If a book has 100 people ahead of you, you have options. First, check if Hoopla has it — sometimes the same title appears on both services. Second, search for the audiobook on Libby by author name rather than exact title; the author's backlist titles often have no wait. Third, place a hold anyway and keep reading other books — the wait usually moves faster than the queue length suggests because people return books early or let holds expire.
You can also request that your library purchase a specific title. Most libraries have a form on their website or at the desk for purchase requests. If enough people request the same book, the library may buy additional copies, which shortens the waiting list for everyone.
Some readers use a strategy called "hold stacking": place holds on five or six books by the same author at once. One will usually become available within a week or two, and you can listen to that while waiting for the others. This keeps you reading without gaps.
Comparing the services: which one to use first
| Service | Waiting List | Loan Length | Selection Size | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Libby | Yes, often long for popular titles | 14 days | Largest | New releases, bestsellers, any genre |
| Hoopla | No waiting list | 21 days | Medium | Backlist, nonfiction, avoiding waits |
| Audiobooks Plus | No waiting list | 14 days | Medium | Monthly readers who want no waits |
Start with Libby if you want the widest selection and do not mind waiting for popular titles. Start with Hoopla if you want to listen when ready and prefer older or less mainstream books. If you listen to only a few audiobooks per month and want zero waiting, Audiobooks Plus is the right choice. Most readers benefit from signing up for both Libby and Hoopla and using whichever has the book they want right now.
Troubleshooting common problems
If your library card number does not work, check that you entered it correctly — it is usually printed on the front of your card. If the app still rejects it, call your library's main number and ask for the correct number format. Some libraries use a different number for digital services than for the physical card.
If you cannot find your library in the Libby dropdown, your library does not participate in OverDrive. Check your library's website to see which audiobook services it does offer. You can also call the library and ask which digital audiobook platforms are available to you.
If a book you borrowed is about to expire and you have not finished it, most services let you renew it once if nobody is waiting for it. Open the book in the app and look for a "Renew" button. If the button is grayed out, someone else has placed a hold and you cannot extend the loan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to go to the library in person to get an audiobook?
No. read the app for Libby, Hoopla, or whichever service your library offers, sign in with your library card number, and borrow audiobooks from home. You never need to visit the building. Your library card must be active and in good standing (no overdue fines blocking your account).
What happens if I do not finish an audiobook before the loan expires?
The audiobook automatically disappears from your device. You can borrow it again if it is available, or place a new hold if others are waiting. Some services let you renew once if nobody else has placed a hold. Check the app for a "Renew" button before the due date.
Can I listen to the same audiobook on multiple devices?
Yes. Log into the app on your phone, tablet, and computer with the same library card. You can listen on any device, but only one device can play the audiobook at a time. If you start listening on your phone, you cannot simultaneously play it on your tablet.
Why does Libby show a waiting list for a book that Hoopla has available right now?
Libby and Hoopla buy licenses from different publishers and have separate catalogs. The same book may be available when ready on one service and have a 50-person wait on the other. Always check both services before deciding to wait.
Can I read audiobooks to listen offline?
Yes. Both Libby and Hoopla let you read audiobooks to your phone so you can listen without an internet connection. The read expires when your loan expires. Open the book in the app and look for a read or offline option.