Libby – Access Your Local Public Library Online, Thursday, July 2, 2026

Libby App Tutorial — Obtaining a Library Card Online

Siena demonstrated how to obtain a library card directly through the Libby app using the Hamilton Public Library as an example. She walked through the full online registration form, including selecting a home branch, entering personal details, choosing a PIN, and accepting the statement of responsibility.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed that the Libby app links directly to the library’s website registration page. The process took approximately 2 minutes and resulted in an immediate card number being issued via email. She used her own newly obtained Hamilton Public Library e-card as a live example.
  • Siena: Noted that the Hamilton Public Library’s registration form included well-labeled alt text on images, which she highlighted as a positive accessibility practice.
• Conclusion
  • Users can apply for a library card directly within the Libby app by navigating to their local library and selecting “I would like a card.”
  • The process is quick (approximately 2 minutes) and the card number is issued immediately upon submission.
  • Physical library card holders can also use their existing card number to sign into Libby.

Libby App Tutorial — Signing In with a Library Card

Siena demonstrated how to sign into the Libby app using the newly obtained Hamilton Public Library card number and PIN.

• Details
  • Siena: Navigated to the Hamilton Public Library within Libby, selected “Sign in with my card,” entered the card number (copied from a Google Keep note), and entered her PIN to authenticate successfully.
  • Siena: Noted that the account showed 0 of 10 loans and 0 of 10 holds available.
• Conclusion
  • Signing in requires the library card number and a PIN. Users who have a physical card but do not know their PIN should contact or visit their local library branch to obtain it.

Libby App — Partner Libraries Feature

Lily raised a question about the partner libraries feature after noticing it during the sign-in process. Siena attempted a live test to determine whether her Hamilton Public Library card could be used to access the Burlington Public Library as a partner library.

• Details
  • Lily: Asked whether the partner libraries feature allows users to access books from multiple libraries with a single card, referencing her grandmother’s experience borrowing books across Kitchener and Waterloo.
  • Siena: Attempted to sign into the Burlington Public Library using her Hamilton card. The app returned an “Invalid library card” error, indicating a separate Burlington card is required.
  • Lily: Clarified that her grandmother’s experience likely involved physical interlibrary loans (books sent between branches), not the Libby app feature.
  • Siena: Noted she has not personally used the partner libraries feature and suggested asking team member Ashlyn, who has more experience with the app.
• Conclusion
  • A separate library card is required for each library, even if it is listed as a partner library.
  • The partner libraries feature may have limitations that require further exploration.
  • Users in areas with small library catalogs (such as Lily’s local library with only a few thousand books) may benefit from registering with multiple libraries to expand their available titles.

Libby App Tutorial — Searching for and Borrowing a Book

Siena searched for the upcoming Books Panel title, Living Disability edited by Emily McRae, and demonstrated the borrowing process using another available title, Living Brave by Shannon Ingle.

• Details
  • Macara: Confirmed the next books panel title is Living Disability, edited by Emily McRae.
  • Siena: Searched the Hamilton Public Library catalog and found Living Disability as an ebook with an approximately 2-week waitlist (1 copy available). Placed a hold on the title.
  • Siena: Borrowed Living Brave by Shannon Ingle, which was immediately available. Selected a 14-day lending period.
  • Siena: Set up Libby notifications for loan expiring, loan expired, hold ready, hold lapsing, hold lapsed, “Notify me” title alerts, and author/series alerts.
• Conclusion
  • Books with holds work similarly to physical library loans — only one patron can borrow a copy at a time, unlike CELA where multiple users can access the same title simultaneously.
  • Libby automatically returns books on the due date, eliminating late fees.
  • Users can set up notifications to be alerted about loan expiry, hold availability, and new titles.

Libby App Tutorial — Reading a Book

Siena opened Living Brave within the Libby app and demonstrated the in-app reading experience using VoiceOver and a Mantis Q40 braille display.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed navigation through the table of contents, dedication, and introduction of the book. Read aloud a portion of the introduction describing the author’s personal loss.
  • Siena: Explained that books can be opened directly in Libby (recommended) or downloaded as a DRM-protected EPUB for use in Adobe Digital Editions or compatible devices.
• Conclusion
  • The Libby in-app reader is accessible with VoiceOver and does not require additional software.
  • DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection is used by libraries to prevent unauthorized copying or modification of borrowed titles.

Libby App Tutorial — Returning a Book Early

Siena demonstrated how to return a borrowed book before the due date.

• Details
  • Siena: Navigated to the Shelf, then Loans, selected “Manage Loan” for Living Brave, and chose “Return Early.” Confirmed the return by tapping the “Return Loan” button.
  • Siena: Noted that after returning, the app displayed a reading journey summary and offered options to find similar titles or share the title.
• Conclusion
  • Books can be returned early at any time through the Manage Loan option on the Shelf.
  • Loans are also automatically returned on the due date if not renewed or returned manually.

Participant Q&A — Using an Existing Physical Library Card with Libby

Liz asked whether she needed a new online library card or could use her existing physical library card to access Libby.

• Details
  • Liz: Confirmed she already has a physical library card but has never registered with Libby and does not use a PIN.
  • Siena: Confirmed that an existing physical library card number can be used. However, a PIN is required and may need to be set up by contacting or visiting the local library branch.
  • Liz: Expressed interest in trying Libby and asked about the catalog size compared to CELA.
  • Siena: Noted that catalog size depends on the library, but registering with multiple libraries can expand available titles. Libby offers both ebooks and audiobooks.
  • Liz: Mentioned a specific book, Best Kept Secrets for Travelers with Sight Loss, which is not available on CELA and wondered if it might be on Libby.
• Conclusion
  • Existing physical library card holders can use their card number to sign into Libby after setting up a PIN with their library.
  • Siena offered one-on-one assistance to anyone who needs help setting up Libby.
  • The Libby app is available on the App Store by searching “Libby” (L-I-B-B-Y).

Platform Transition Announcement — Zoom to Google Meet

Lily announced that Techstravaganza plans to transition from Zoom to Google Meet starting in September, citing ongoing technical difficulties experienced by the team on the administrative side of Zoom, particularly with accessing recordings.

• Details
  • Lily: Explained that Siena, Allie, and Macara have been dealing with issues related to screen sharing, recording access, and other backend Zoom problems.
  • Siena: Elaborated that navigating the Zoom admin panel with a screen reader (VoiceOver or JAWS) to find recordings is increasingly difficult, especially without the notification email. Emphasized that participant feedback will determine whether the transition proceeds or Zoom is retained.
  • Liz: Noted that the group had used Google Meet previously and recalled it being manageable. Asked about phone dial-in (one-tap mobile), which will not be available on Google Meet.
  • Siena: Confirmed that Google Meet has improved significantly since the group last used it, particularly for users without Gmail accounts, who can now join by simply entering their name and clicking join.
  • Liz: Expressed that she does not see the transition as a major concern and suggested the team simply teach participants how to use it.
  • Macara: Highlighted the challenge of balancing backend issues with participant comfort.
  • Lily: Suggested conducting a test session on Google Meet to identify who has difficulty signing in before the September transition.
  • Macara: Agreed that a test run would provide more actionable data than office hours alone.
  • Siena: Proposed hosting a Techstravaganza Extra in August on Google Meet with a regular topic, using it simultaneously as a test run to identify participants who need additional support.
  • Liz: Suggested office hours alone may be sufficient and that a separate test session may not be necessary.
• Conclusion
  • The transition to Google Meet is planned for September.
  • A Techstravaganza Extra session in August on Google Meet is being considered as a test run.
  • Group and individual office hours will be offered to help participants prepare for the transition.
  • Final decision on whether to proceed with Google Meet or remain on Zoom will be informed by participant feedback gathered over the coming weeks, including at the Friday Techstravaganza Extra session.
  • Techstravaganza has approximately 70 members on its mailing list, though typical live attendance is around 6–7 participants.

Upcoming Sessions and Announcements

Siena outlined the schedule for upcoming Techstravaganza sessions.

• Details
  • Siena: Announced a Techstravaganza Extra on Friday, July 3rd, from 7–9 PM Eastern, featuring Ali continuing his Gmail tutorial focused on the native Gmail app on iPhone. The session will use a different Zoom link than the regular Wednesday sessions, with details to be shared via newsletter.
  • Siena: Announced a Goodreads tutorial on Wednesday, July 8th.
  • Siena: Announced a Techstravaganza Evenings session on Thursday, July 9th, from 7–9 PM Eastern.
• Conclusion
  • Participants were encouraged to attend the Friday session and watch for the newsletter with the meeting link.

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