The Problem with Free Library Cards and Libby Hacks

Going to keep it classy for sure and say some ofnus need help finding affordable options for reading. Not lectures.

did you talk to anyone who works in libraries when you made this video? it has put me off subscribing to your channel altogether.

Hard disagree on this entire video. Some libraries are better than others. Another form of redlining.

I agree with several people on here that the bigger issues are library funding structures, ebook licensing schemes, and capitalism in general.

Here are some ideas that would help the system:
Reduced pricing for e-book licence purchases/rentals.
Statewide library card availability. We have this in CA. You can get a library card from any public library system in the state with a valid state ID. You may have to be at the library in person to get it, but traveling to a nearby city or county is possible for most people. Some have expiration timeframes, so you may have to go back every year or two or three.
Increased funding, especially federal, for public libraries. Build a public service campaign around it, so people know all of the services libraries offer. This is very unlikely to happen during the current administration, unfortunately. 😢
Linked Amazon accounts. If you have linked Amazon accounts, you can share books across your Kindle accounts. So my husband and I can do parallel reading when one of us gets a library book we both want to read.
Libby has recently changed their hold system, and I do think, past some initial confusion about the changes, has been beneficial overall.

Most libraries are not used enough, IMO, so I’m not sure if I think gaming the system to give yourself more access is “stealing.” Our culture is sliding into anti-intellectualism, and reading, critical thinking, and knowledge in general are facing an assault from our current administration. Libraries should be lifted up and supported, not attacked. When our culture is more concerned about banning books and shutting down public television, our priorities are skewed.

The problem isn’t people ‘stealing’ digital books, the problem is the funding structure of libraries.

Yeah it's weird, but every company loves government contracts and overcharging institutions since time immemorial.

Here I sit with my single library card for Libby that has an average wait time of 50-60 WEEKS for the books I want to read. With only 6 holds allowed. ✌🏼😅

Libraries do t

I've already read all the books in my library.

Librarian here! There is an option to sign up online for a library card through the library's website, but it is temporary. After about a month or so, it expires, and the individual needs to come in person to the library with proof that they live in the area, work in the area, or go to school in the area (driver's license, pay stub, and school ID respectively).

I know how to spot a fake ID in my state. I used to work in circulation (which issues cards), and I've personally never seen anybody use a fake ID, but I wouldn't be surprised. Not these days.

The library is for residents and workers in the community. If you live nearby, but not in the service area, you can get a non-resident card due to what's called a reciprocal borrowing agreement. Basically, different libraries from different cities agree to let their respective patrons borrow materials from other libraries. However, someone from outside of the library's service area does not have the same privileges as someone who does live within the service area.

It's 100% stealing. I just found your channel, and I love this content! Ty

You do realize I can download like every book on the planet in under a gigabyte on any pirate site

Only a librarian would complain about people wanting to read books

Im from another country with a small collection and was tempted BUT i want to support the libraries and didnt find a way to pay so i turned away. ❤ I cant really afford new books for learning science any tips on used or ethical affordable options are greatly appreciated. 😊

I have several nonresident library cards. I feel strongly about properly supporting libraries. I think I have one that is free and if that library changed and charged for my card, I would pay for it. Of the 7 library cards I have, the only other one I don't pay for is my local library. So, 5 of my library cards are paid for with some kind of subscription fee. The least expensive is $38. The most expensive is over $100. I don't see myself cheating. If I cannot find what I want on Libby, then I can usually find the book on kindle unlimited and then I'll pay the $7.95 companion audiobook. That might also be considered cheating, but Amazon/Audible offers it, so that's what I do. In all honesty, if I paid full price for as many audiobooks as I listen to, I'd go broke. So, finding a more affordable way to do it is critical for my budget. Fortunately, I don't expect to get audiobooks for free.

paper books only

I have utilized Libby since conception. For decades I utilized two cards, my local library and a vastly bigger library that offers free cards for digital use to disabled veterans. When my local library switched from Libby to a new system that can not be read on an ereader, I was on the search for other options. I’ve never needed to lie, and don’t mind paying a small fee to support that branch. If a local library needs the subscribers to offer a free digital card holder, I see nothing wrong with that. I have a total of 3.

Yep, I only use my local county library. If you really have to then PAY for an out of town membership at another library like New Orleans where you will actually be supporting their local community library.

I wish there was a law in place allowing libraries to create their own digital copies of books to rent out so that they could buy physical books and have the same number of digital copies as they do physical ones.

They should be able to charge that to libraries for a digital LEASE. That's awful.

Some of us do truly lack all access to books.......I still need those options and was really frustrated when the only liberary i knew had free access stopped doing it

Thought Couture is right; getting a lib card with a fake address not only games 'the system' but also the residents of that city. Publishers that charge libraries way more for their ebooks than consumers is a problem too, but this video is also mentioned that (5:25); it just isn't the main focus of this video.

???? If these libraries allow non residents to create an account for a card, why are you complaining?

I think a lot of people who utilize these systems online don't realize(or care) that the money to upkeep the system has to come from somewhere. I also feel like this is why the Hoopla for my city's library cut down on the amount of books you could borrow per month in the last year. And I do agree overconsumption is another problem. Which is why a lot of the hacks across multiple hobbies of mine always end up getting 'overwhelmed' and ruined for everyone else. Of course the system(s) put in place should be improved, but also there are people taking more than what's available for everyone else. In turn those systems are broken down again, and we're back to where we started again in a loop of pointing fingers, people pretending to not know better ect ect.

Whew…. This video feels very…. Gross. Imagine having access to one of the best library systems in the country but speaking down to people who have crappy access due to their location. Also…I find it interesting that the majority of librarians disagree with you in the comments.

I've found that the key is to have more than one book on your reading list. 🤣

I've checked out quite a few of the recommended ones, and have a total of 3-4 library cards right now.

I could get a ton of them, but I'm not willing to lie about being a state resident. if my out-of-state address trips their system, then so be it.

I am dyslexic and I love books, so I rely heavily on audio books. This cheat/hack never occurred to me... but I did try to convince my sister who lives in a different city to let me "borrow" her library card so I could use it on Overdrive. When she refused I was disappointed but also kind of relieved because it would have felt like cheating. I am delighted to learn about paid library cards!

If Broward County and other Library's do not want to share their library's access they could stop it. My library does not allow access to their library unless you either go to the library and show your proof of residency OR recently they have added ability to purchase an annual library card.

Soooo interesting. You are talking about hacking on the beginning side of the lending cycle. My hacks are on the end of the lending cycle. I never have to return a Kindle book. Until Nov. 13, 2024 I never had to return an audiobook. Yes, my loans ended, and other people could now access the titles, but I still had the material. Someone on Reddit gave me an idea how, even after Nov.13, I will still be able to hang onto an audiobook forever. Avoid Libby if you can. Do not stream. Use very dumb devices.

What a petty video. 'You' belong to one of the best library systems in the country so it's easy to criticize others who don't have access. Also an asinine statement about finding similar titles to check out in a threadbare local system. Zero criticism of the publishing industry and their inordinate greed creating this situation. I only use my own library and wouldn't resort to these tactics, but only b/c I am in a great system - the difference is I can actually sympathize with others while you seem to lack that capacity.

I can see your point on some of these points. However, it leads me to ask two important questions: 1. Why would a library offer “non residents “ free library cards to access their digital library if it only affects them in a negative way? And the next, 2. If I were to pay for the library card would it guarantee me a shorter wait time? If it does, aren’t we now going back to idea that only those with the financial resources are able to access reading materials? Honestly, if it’s that much of a problem, eliminate the free cards.

In Colorado I've had several people ask for a card in my library district because they were collecting cards, physical cards. As long as they lived in Colorado we could give them a physical card. One lady had 11 and it was her traveling around the state tradition and it was really fun to see all the designs

Also, Prospector? MOBIUS? There are ways to get physical books moved between libraries for people who want to read

You haven't convinced me at all! This seems like a great argument to change ebook practices and increase the investment in libraries. More people being able to read more books just seems great to me!

I am so buying a non-resident card!

I just buy my books. I’m 65 years of age and an avid reader. Both of my parents were high school dropouts and could barely read or understand mathematics, so they paid close attention to my education. I had to stop buying physical books about 15 years ago because my 4-bedroom house is full of about 6,000+ books. Some of those books go back to when I was in 3rd grade when “Bookmobiles” would periodically show up at school. I currently have 2,900 ebooks (actually Barnes & Noble) on my iPad Pro.

Let me sum up.
Poors don’t deserve better access to books because they don’t pay as much tax. What are us privileged book clubbers to do when the great unwashed are delaying our access to digital books?
Middle class, middle brow BS. You are not as smart as you think you are.

OMG sounds so complicated. There are easier ways to get free books, and without burdening taxpayers at that.