Download Libby directly to your Kindle through Amazon's Appstore
You can read library books from Libby on a Kindle device by installing the Libby app from Amazon's Appstore. The process takes about five minutes and works on most Kindle models, including Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Oasis, and basic Kindle devices. You will need an active library card and an Amazon account linked to your Kindle.
Libby is an app made by OverDrive that connects to your public library's digital collection. When you open Libby on your Kindle, you search for books, place holds on titles that are checked out, and borrow them directly to your device. The app syncs across all your devices, so a book you borrow on your phone appears on your Kindle too.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Appstore on your Kindle, search for Libby, and tap Install to add the app to your device.
- Sign into Libby with your library card number and PIN, or create a new account if your library uses Libby's sign-up system.
- Libby books on Kindle expire automatically after the loan period ends, so you do not have to return them manually.
- If your library does not appear in Libby's system, contact your library directly to ask whether they offer digital lending through a different service.
Step-by-step: Installing Libby on your Kindle
Start on your Kindle home screen. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner, then tap Appstore. This opens Amazon's store of apps built for Kindle devices.
In the Appstore search box, type "Libby" and tap the search button. The official Libby app will appear at the top of the results — it shows the OverDrive logo (a blue circle with a white book inside). Tap the app name or icon to open its detail page.
Tap the Install button. Your Kindle will download and install the app automatically. This usually takes less than a minute on a Wi-Fi connection. When installation finishes, the Install button changes to Open.
Tap Open to launch Libby for the first time. The app will ask you to sign in or create an account. Do not close the app at this step — you need to complete the sign-in process before you can search for books.
Signing into Libby with your library card
When Libby opens, tap Sign In. The app will ask you to find your library by searching for your city or library name. Type your city name or your library's name in the search box and tap the correct result when it appears.
Once you select your library, Libby will show you the sign-in method your library uses. Most libraries let you sign in with your library card number and PIN. Enter both exactly as they appear on your card, including any leading zeros or letters. If you do not know your PIN, most libraries let you look it up on their website or call the library to reset it.
Some libraries use a different system and will ask you to create a Libby account instead. If this happens, you will enter your library card number once, then create a username and password that you use to sign into Libby from that point forward. Write down your new username and password somewhere safe — you will need them if you install Libby on another device.
After you sign in successfully, Libby will load your library's collection. You are now ready to search for and borrow books. Your Kindle will remember your sign-in, so you will not have to enter your library card information again.
Borrowing and reading books in Libby
Search for a book by tapping the search icon (magnifying glass) at the top of the Libby home screen. Type the book title, author name, or subject, then tap Search. Libby will show you all matching titles from your library's collection.
When you find a book you want, tap it to open the detail page. If the book is available right now, you will see a Borrow button. Tap Borrow to add it to your library on your Kindle. The book will appear in your Libby library within seconds and you can start reading immediately.
If the book is checked out, you will see a Place Hold button instead. Tap it to join the queue. Libby will notify you when the book becomes available — you can set how you want to be notified in the app settings. When your turn comes, you have a set number of days (usually 21) to borrow the book before it goes back to the next person on the hold list.
Books in Libby expire automatically at the end of your loan period. You do not have to return them or do anything to send them back — they simply disappear from your library when the time is up. If you finish reading before the loan expires, you can manually return the book by opening it and tapping the return option in the menu.
Troubleshooting common Libby problems on Kindle
If Libby will not install, check that your Kindle has a Wi-Fi connection and that you are signed into your Amazon account. Tap Menu, then Settings, then Wi-Fi to see your connection status. If you are not connected, select your network and enter your password.
If you see an error message saying your library is not found, your library may not use Libby. Contact your library's reference desk or check their website to see which digital lending service they offer. Many libraries use Hoopla, Overdrive (the older version), or their own system instead of Libby.
If you sign in but cannot see any books in your library's collection, your library card may be expired or blocked. Log into your library's website from a computer or phone and check your account status. If there is a problem, call your library to fix it before trying Libby again.
If a book you borrowed is not showing up on your Kindle, force close the Libby app and reopen it. Tap Menu, then Settings, then Apps, then Manage All Applications. Find Libby in the list, tap it, and tap Force Stop. Wait a few seconds, then tap Open to restart the app. Your borrowed books should reappear.
Reading Libby books across multiple devices
Libby syncs your library and reading progress across all devices where you sign in with the same account. If you borrow a book on your phone, it will appear in your Libby library on your Kindle too. If you read three chapters on your Kindle, then open the book on your phone, it will open to the same spot.
To set up Libby on another device, download the app from that device's app store (Apple App Store for iPhone or iPad, Google Play for Android phones and tablets, or Amazon Appstore for other Kindle devices). Sign in with the same library card number and PIN you used on your first device. Your entire library will sync over within a minute.
You can borrow the same book on multiple devices at the same time, but you can only read it on one device at once. If you open a borrowed book on your Kindle while it is also open on your phone, the app will ask which device you want to read on and close it on the other one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read Libby books on older Kindle models?
Libby works on most Kindle devices made in the last five years, including Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Oasis, and basic Kindle models. Very old Kindle devices or Kindle for Mac may not support the app. Check Amazon's Appstore on your device to see if Libby is available — if it does not appear in search results, your device is not compatible.
What happens to my books if I uninstall Libby?
Uninstalling Libby removes the app from your Kindle, but your borrowed books stay in your library account. When you reinstall Libby and sign in again, all your current loans will reappear. You can read them again without placing new holds.
Do I need to pay for Libby?
Libby itself is free. You only need a valid library card from a library that offers Libby. Some libraries charge a small annual fee for a library card if you live outside their service area, but Libby the app has no subscription cost.
Can I read Libby books offline on my Kindle?
Yes. Once you borrow a book in Libby, it downloads to your Kindle and you can read it without an internet connection. If you place a hold on a book that is not yet available, you will need Wi-Fi to check when it becomes available and to borrow it.
Why does my library not show up in Libby?
Not all libraries use Libby. Some use Hoopla, Overdrive, or their own digital lending system. Visit your library's website or call them to ask which service they offer for digital books. They can also tell you how to sign up if you need a library card first.