Step-by-step instructions: (Printable version)
Installing the Libby app
Option 1: Download the Libby App from the App Store
The Libby app should be available in the Kindle Fire app store. If you see it after searching for "Libby," install it, and open it. Then, follow prompts to find Jefferson County Public Library, and enter your library card number.
Option 2: Download the Libby App Directly
If you do not see Libby in the search results after searching in the app store, follow these instructions for directly downloading the app:
- In the Silk browser, go to https://help.libbyapp.com/en-us/6279.htm?Highlight=APK, opens a new window
- Tap the button that says "Download Libby APK."
- Tap OK, Allow, or Continue to proceed.
- The wording may vary and you may get warnings saying that the Silk browser needs more access on your device or that this kind of file should be avoided. OverDrive tests the file to make sure it’s safe, so you can safely dismiss these messages for the Libby APK.
- In addition, if you get a message saying your device is not allowed to install unknown apps from this source, tap Settings, and toggle “Allow from this source” on. After you finish installing the Libby app, turn this setting back to off, under your device home screen Settings, then Privacy & Security.
- If you see a prompt to open the download, tap Open. If you don’t see a prompt to open, locate the file in your downloads folder (possibly found under Utilities > Docs > Local Storage) and tap to open.
- Tap Install in the bottom right corner, if prompted.
- Once the file downloads, or the screen says App Installed, tap Open in the bottom right corner.
- If you have never used Libby, follow prompts to find Jefferson County Public Library, and enter your library card number. (Search For A Library)
- If you already use Libby on another device, you can use a setup code to copy your library cards, loans, holds, and tags to your Kindle Fire tablet. (Copy From Another Device)
Option 3: Use OverDrive or Libby via the Silk browser
If you do not see Libby in the app store, and the direct download will not work, follow these instructions for using OverDrive.com or Libbyapp.com in the Silk browser. After delivering, the book can be found on your Kindle Fire homescreen, or in the Kindle reading app, depending on the model and generation of your device.
Using the Libby app
Search or Browse
Tap on the building icon to browse featured titles and categories. Tap on the magnifying glass icon to search.
Check Out and Read/Listen
- Tap on Borrow near a title’s cover and then tap Borrow again.
- Tap Read With and then Libby (On this device) to begin reading in the app. It will automatically begin to download.
- Tap Open Audiobook to begin listening in the app. It will automatically begin to download.
- Tap on Keep Browsing to continue searching for titles, or Go To Shelf to see the other reading options.
- To adjust e-book or audiobook settings (font size, audio speed, etc.), tap on the screen and use the menu bar at the top of the page.
- To close the book, tap on the screen to access the menu options and tap Back. Your place is automatically bookmarked.
- To access your borrowed titles, tap on the stacked book icon, then Loans. Turn the pages of e-books by swiping left or right on the screen or tapping near the left or right.
You may check out 99 e-books and/or audiobooks at a time, and check out unlimited magazines.
Place a Hold, Check Out a Hold
- Tap Place Hold near a title’s cover, then tap Place Hold again. Tap Keep Browsing to continue searching for titles, Similar Titles to see other options, or Go To Shelf.
- When you receive a notification that a hold is ready, tap on the stacked book icon, then Holds.
- When a hold is ready, you have 3 days to borrow it, suspend it, or cancel it.
- To borrow it, tap on Borrow near the cover, and tap Borrow again.
- To pause the hold, tap Manage Hold and then Suspend Hold. If you do nothing, your hold will be automatically suspended. Suspended holds will remain suspended until you tap Unsuspend next to the title in your list of Holds.
- To cancel the hold, tap Manage Hold, then Cancel Hold.
The Libby app will not send email notifications about holds. To set Shelf Notices or push Notifications, tap on Menu then Settings, then Notifications. Follow prompts to select your notification preferences for each event. Email notifications can be enabled in your Libbyapp.com account in a browser.
You may have 70 e-books and/or audiobooks on hold, and magazines are always available.
Early Returns and Renewing
- Your borrowed item will automatically return at the end of the 21-day loan period. If you wish to return an item early, tap on the stacked books icon, then Loans, then tap Manage Loan near the cover. Tap Return Early, and then Return.
- If a title does not have holds, you can renew it within three days of its due date. To renew a title, tap on the stacked books icon, then Loans, then Manage Loan near the cover. Tap Renew Loan, then Renew.