Let’s talk about library apps for free reading—because honestly, if you’re not already using them, you’re missing out. Library apps have completely changed the game for book lovers, putting thousands of books right in your pocket without costing you a cent. Today, I’m going to break down some of the best ones out there, how they work, and why you need them in your life.
First up, the app that everyone should know: Libby. This is the go-to for most libraries in North America. All you need is a library card to access thousands of ebooks, audiobooks, and even magazines. The app is super intuitive, which is a big plus. You can search by title, author, or genre, and it’s got features like adjustable text size, dark mode, and offline reading. If your library supports it, you can even stream audiobooks. The best part? No late fees—everything just returns automatically when your loan expires. Download it from Libby.
Now, if you’re outside North America or your library doesn’t support Libby, check out OverDrive. It’s actually the platform that powers Libby, but some libraries still use OverDrive as their main app. It’s not quite as sleek as Libby, but it gets the job done. You’ll have access to the same massive catalog of ebooks and audiobooks.
Next, there’s Hoopla. This one’s a little different because it offers a wider variety of content. Think movies, TV shows, music, and comics in addition to books. Hoopla is great if you’re into graphic novels or you like having lots of media options in one place. Like Libby, you’ll need a library card, and you can borrow a set number of titles per month, depending on your library’s rules. I love Hoopla for audiobooks because there’s no waiting list—it’s all instant access. You can find it at hoopladigital.com.
Another strong contender is CloudLibrary. This one isn’t as widely known, but it’s worth checking to see if your library uses it. It’s similar to Libby in terms of functionality—ebooks and audiobooks that you can borrow for free—but the selection might be a little different depending on your library’s collection. If you’re not finding what you want on Libby, try CloudLibrary.
Now let’s talk about an app for public domain books: Project Gutenberg. The app itself isn’t as slick as the others, but it’s a treasure trove of free ebooks. If you’re into classics like Jane Austen, Mark Twain, or Charles Dickens, this is the place to go. You don’t need a library card for Project Gutenberg because everything is in the public domain. You can read directly from their website or download a third-party app that integrates with their catalog.
For audiobooks, check out Librivox. It’s similar to Project Gutenberg but focused on audiobooks. Volunteers read public domain books, and the selection is surprisingly large. The quality can vary depending on the narrator, but hey, it’s free. This one’s especially great if you’re into classic literature.
If you’re a student or educator, don’t sleep on Open Library. It’s part of the Internet Archive, and it’s basically a digital library of millions of books. The cool thing is that you can “borrow” ebooks like you would from a traditional library. The selection is broad, but it leans heavily on academic and out-of-print titles, so it’s perfect for research or niche interests. You can check it out at openlibrary.org.
One more I have to mention is Sora. This one’s specifically designed for students and educators. It’s powered by OverDrive, so it’s similar to Libby, but it’s tailored to school reading programs. If you’re a student or a teacher, this is a great way to access books tied to your curriculum or just for fun.
A quick tip for maximizing these apps: always check multiple platforms. Sometimes a book that’s unavailable on Libby might be on Hoopla or CloudLibrary, so it’s worth having more than one app on your phone. Also, remember that libraries are constantly updating their collections, so if you don’t find what you’re looking for right now, check back later.
Lastly, if you don’t have a library card yet, fix that immediately! Many libraries now let you sign up online, so you don’t even need to go in person. Some even offer cards to non-residents for a small fee, which could be worth it if your local library doesn’t have a great selection.
So, to wrap up: if you want free reading, library apps are where it’s at. Libby, OverDrive, Hoopla, CloudLibrary, and even Project Gutenberg and Librivox are all incredible resources. They’re easy to use, they’re completely free, and they give you access to more books than you could ever read in a lifetime. If you haven’t already, go download one—or all—of these apps and start exploring.
Let me know if you’ve got a favorite library app or if there’s one I missed. I’m always looking for new ways to get my hands on more books!