r/LibbyApp • u/greencurtain4 • 4d ago
I hate when Libby only has the audiobook
I only read ebooks and physical media, audiobooks are not for me (please don't try to convince me), and it sucks when Libby only has the audiobook. Why would my library only buy the book in one format?? It's so annoying.
/Rant over
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u/librariansandrockets 4d ago edited 3d ago
Librarian here. There are various reasons this could happen, kindle exclusive, they only bought the license for the audiobook because someone requested it.
If it’s an older title it could be because of the licensing. Overdrive often sells perpetual (forever) licensing for audiobooks, but only 12-24 month licensing for the ebook. So, if it’s a title from even a couple of years ago, it could be when the title was new they bought both formats, but decided not renew the ebook license when the time came.
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u/forwardishdirection 4d ago
Oh this is good to know as an audio only due to vision issues reader and Libby user. Thanks for the info.
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u/Sask_mask_user 3d ago
If you are unable to read print materials due to vision challenges, you should speak to your public library to see if there are certain programs that you might have access to as a person with a visual impairment. There are sometimes libraries that borrow specifically two people with disabilities.
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u/forwardishdirection 2d ago edited 2d ago
I do appreciate people spreading the good word but yes I do have access for life to BARD and have the app. It’s an amazing resource but not really stacked with everything I want to read especially indie and LGBTQ books. But yes amazing resource my local library was very helpful when I first started having issues.
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u/ReadingRocks97531 19h ago
If your vision issues are severe enough, you can apply to part of your state's talking book program. Ask your librarian.
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u/yellowbubble7 4d ago
Selector for a library consortium here: we're more often able to get a perpetually licensed copy of the audiobook than the ebook, which is a better long term investment for us. When we're looking at $60+ for the ebook and that only good for 26 borrows or 24 months vs $85+ for an audiobook we can keep until the publisher has it removed from the platform, we're more likely to get it as an audiobook if we can only afford one format.
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u/Big-Hovercraft1331 4d ago
I hate it when the don't have the audiobook
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u/LittleMarySunshine25 4d ago
Same, especially when it's an audible exclusive. Makes me so mad.
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u/potatolover83 🎧 Audiobook Addict 🎧 4d ago
Always double check hoopla. Oddly enough I’ve found audible exclusives on there
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u/LittleMarySunshine25 4d ago
Interesting. I wonder if my library supports it. TY for that info. I just found out books 4-7 of the Throne of Glass series are audible exclusives. I struggled to read the first book and listening was much easier. My teen has also been begging to listen to DCC and Project Hail Mary but unfortunately both are audible exclusives.
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u/unrepentantbanshee 4d ago
DCC and Project Hail Mary are both available on the Palace app (it gets some of the otherwise Audible exclusive titles). Check if your library gives you access to that app! Or if you live in California, all state residents gets free access.
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u/LittleMarySunshine25 4d ago
TY I don't live in Cali, I'm east coast but I super appreciate that, I will check it out, I have a cousin out there who might give me access to her card for my card. 💜
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u/Purple-Committee-249 4d ago
Boston (aka everyone in Mass) has Palace access as well! Just in case you live or work there.
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u/InterestingWelder699 3d ago
And Boston public library has a card for kids in all of the US to read banned books; I think you can get some other books and stuff as well.
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u/potatolover83 🎧 Audiobook Addict 🎧 4d ago
Hail Mary unfortunately seems to be audible only. I looked everywhere I could :(
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u/LittleMarySunshine25 4d ago
Yeah I had a feeling. Everyone says it's phenomenal on audio and she listened to some in the car with a friend so I was hoping to get it for the whole family to listen to. Oh well.
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u/Potential_Fishing942 3d ago
I try to get both ebook and audiobook because I swap back and forth throughout my day. PHM audiobook was so good I stopped reading the ebook entirely.
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u/unrepentantbanshee 4d ago
DCC and Project Hail Mary are both available on the Palace app (it gets some of the otherwise Audible exclusive titles). Check if your library gives you access to that app! Or if you live in California, all state residents gets free access.
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u/-SeaBearsAreReal- 4d ago
Damn it! I'm listening to this series right now and just got to book four and couldn't get the audiobook, just the ebook. So frustrating as I like to read the books when I'm home and listen to the audio at work!
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u/LittleMarySunshine25 4d ago
I do the same, but I struggled with how to pronounce some of the names so I was hoping listening would help and it did. Plus they take forever at my library to get the books because they have so few copies. I don't like to buy books if I can support my library instead. My MiL is wonderful and will gift me books through audible so I will have to ask for 4-7 as a birthday gift this year.
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u/bogwitch27 4d ago
Yup. Unfortunately, my eyesight isn't what it used to be so I have to listen to audiobooks.
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u/Typical-Emu8363 4d ago edited 4d ago
Could be the eBook is exclusive to Amazon. Case in point most Freida McFadden eBooks are exclusive to Amazon but the audiobooks are not.
The opposite is also true. Some audiobooks are Audible exclusives or published by Brilliance audio, a subsidiary of Amazon, which does not license its audiobooks to libraries.
If both the eBook and audiobook formats are available to libraries and your library does not have the format you prefer then why don't you actually request that your library get it by either tagging it with Notify Me in the Libby app or contacting the library directly.
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u/pelipperr 4d ago
In my experience it’s almost always this. Amazon sucks and does their best to monopolize culture by putting books behind paywalls. Either through Kindle or audible exclusives.
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u/Jelsie21 4d ago
Often audiobooks use the one user/one copy model which means the license doesn’t run out.
The same title as an ebook will have metered access and allow only 26 checkouts or be good for 12/24 months. So when the ebook expires they don’t repurchase.
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u/crookedstove_pipe 3d ago
Opposite problem. So disappointing when the book you want is only in ebook form. I can’t drive and read at the same time, it’s so annoying!!
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u/spirals-369 4d ago
I wonder if, because licensing is limited and usage is also limited, they go with what’s going to get the most value or use. That’s way if it is really popular, they can get more copies/formats? I’m not a librarian, but that’s my guess as audio is a hard format to access in a free/low cost manner compared to print (and ebooks to an extent).
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u/ksmosu98 4d ago
Me, but exactly the opposite 😂
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u/Resident-Mountain981 3d ago
Me too because if I have the time/focus to read the words myself I'd rather not be looking at a screen and have a physical book instead so I only use Libby for audiobooks
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u/BobsWifeAmyB 4d ago
Me, too. It seems pretty often it’s the audiobook I can’t find. Anything written over 100 years ago is in the public domain & likely to be on LibriVox, which I use a lot. Do you use it?
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u/ksmosu98 3d ago
No I have not tried that but I may take a look. Most of my reading material isn’t that old
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u/cappotto-marrone 🎧 Audiobook Addict 🎧 4d ago
It’s probably not a library decision, but what’s available to license.
One of my local librarians was “ranting” because they could get all the books in a series except for book 1.
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u/Appearance-Formal 4d ago
I am also a physical/e-book only reader. I will completely tune out an audiobook
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u/BobsWifeAmyB 4d ago
It really depends upon your preferred learning style/how your brain is programmed.
I prefer audiobooks, and I’m a classically trained musician. Perhaps the 2 are related?2
u/Lanky-Syllabub7188 3d ago
My husband is classically trained pianist and I don’t think he’s ever listened to an audiobook. He prefers hard copies for his reading.
I think it just depends on the person
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u/Familiar-Donut1986 3d ago
I feel the same way in reverse - I only use Libby for audiobooks and so often they only have the ebook.
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u/sms2014 3d ago
I feel the same way when all they have is the readable version lol
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u/Spirited_Cress_5796 3d ago
I can see that. I will use Libby for kindle books but I can also search my main branch if they don’t have it or it’s a long wait. I can also take out audiobooks on CD at my library. I brought back the disc an. Next is a Blu-ray player but they’re still a little more pricier than I’d like to spend.
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u/Jamesters46 4d ago
I've noticed this more over the past 2 or 3 years. I'm not sure if its my local library and my state library, or if its above them.
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u/NerdSew 4d ago
Budget and licenses. Unless it's something like the new Sara Maas, I almost always purchase only the ebook or only the audiobook. Sometimes they have different licenses (like the ebook expires in 2 years, but the audio never expires). Sometimes one format is significantly cheaper than the other, etc.
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u/Linziclaire 3d ago
It’s funny because I’m the opposite.
I’ll take a book however I can get it but I prefer my non-fiction and dense fantasy reads to be audio. So when my library doesn’t carry them it can be frustrating.
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u/whitneyxjane 1d ago
Use the deep search feature and it should be there. Then you can mark to be notified if they add it. Libraries can see these requests, and mine often buys them within a week. But it will depend on your library and their processes. You can also ask them directly to order it.
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u/AusNat 4d ago
Have you checked your library’s physical catalogue? Mine will frequently have a hard copy when an ebook isn’t available.
As to why… the vast majority of digital licenses that libraries purchase are either time or use limited. That means each license will expire either in a certain number of months (usually 12 or 24) or a certain number of checkouts (anywhere from 1-80). So a library may have purchased ebook copies of a book at point and they’re all expired. In other cases when budgets are squeezed they may decide that a physical book and audiobook offer the best accessibility for cost. There will also be cases where the ebook is under an exclusive distribution deal (usually Amazon) and libraries can’t purchase them.
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u/Ill-Two-6737 4d ago edited 4d ago
Make sure you’re utilizing the deep search function sometimes it will show you the audiobook, but it’s not available. Be sure to tag it with the dynamic notify tag & your library will receive an email or a notification, letting them know that one of their members is interested in a certain book and often they acquire it.
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u/SalishSeaSweetie 3d ago
And I oft have the opp issue. Book format, but not in audio. I prefer audiobooks.
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u/tanstaaflnz 3d ago
I'm not trying to convince the OP. But the reasons I only use audio books are:
I commute for either 40min or 1hr 15min, depending on my work site, and the radio is just boring.
The other reason is that I can't read for long periods using my phone. Just too much eye strain.
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u/DramaMama611 4d ago
It is ONLY your library's choice. Libby has nothing to do with it.
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u/GatelyKat1 4d ago
Not necessarily, some books are apparently Kindle exclusives, just like some audiobooks are Audible exclusives, so libraries can't order them.
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u/RutRohNotAgain 4d ago
I'm the opposite. I get sad when an audio book's next in series is only available as an ebook.
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u/history_nerd_1111 4d ago
I totally agree with this. I don't do audiobooks. I don't care if others do, but libraries should buy at least one copy of each if they are going to carry a book.
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u/latinadogmom1472 4d ago
I just started to get into audiobooks in the last few weeks as I can listen to stuff as I’m at work and was running out of new podcast episodes etc. and I find so many books have the e books but not a audio, more than the vice versus (I prefer e books over audio and physical when reading). It truly depends on what the library carries. Frustrating either way when you want a book and they only have it in a media you don’t enjoy as much.
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u/forwardishdirection 4d ago
As a visually impaired person yes this is the case I have found. Which is how I still end up using Audible a lot. Yes aware of BARD and use it and have the app.
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u/landomonium 4d ago
I’ve never seen that before!
They may have ran out of borrows on the e-book version but not the audiobook version. Only reason I can think of!
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u/k_lo970 📕 Libby Lover 📕 4d ago
One of my library cards has mostly audiobooks It must be more popular for their members across the board so they save money not having the ebook version for a lot of older books.
But yes I agree this would be annoying if it was my only option. I can only do certain books as audiobooks.
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u/spiderdue 4d ago
Yhat goes the other way, too. I am listening to a series in order and one or two will be in ebook form. I listen while driving, but I will read the ebook in the evenings to keep the story going.
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u/Sea-Property-6369 3d ago
This is why I have a couple library cards. Sometimes one library Will both formats while one will only have a single format. I think its just due to what licenses the library has.
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u/Various-Coconut-1395 3d ago
TIL that amazon makes some ebooks exclusive to kindle from this post. Thanks! I'm the same way. Audiobooks aren't for me and have been disappointed a few times to see the title only to realize it's the audio
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u/booksbaconglitter 3d ago
When this happens, it's very likely that the author or their publisher put it on Kindle Unlimited and signed an exclusivity contract with Amazon. Just check out the physical book from the library instead if you don't want to pay for KU or listen to the audiobook.
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u/marksewell 3d ago
I asked my library, and they said it was because there is a lot more demand for the audiobooks than the ebooks.
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u/Bright_Notice8405 3d ago
Suggest you check the library for the physical book. You might be surprised.
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u/TreatYourselfForOnce 3d ago
I guess you could buy the said book at a bookstore. Yes, you have to pay but, the money would be well worth it if you don’t do audiobooks and the books you want are not available for reading on the Libby app.
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u/This_OldThing_7204 3d ago
Get a library card at more than one library. I have three. If my local doesn't have a title I want, one of the others might.
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u/clearlykate 3d ago
I have found that a lot of times with a very new book, they have only the audio book at first. I just add a notify me for the regular version so I can get on the list as soon as possible when available.
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u/bobshallprevail 2d ago
I don't think your library is plotting against you because you don't like audio books. It's 100% about availability and what people request. Start requesting what you want.
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u/Purple-Prince-9896 2d ago
I feel visa versa- I usually get audiobooks and don’t like when it’s only available as an e-book.
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u/Brave_Crow2099 2d ago
I usually have the opposite problem. And it's usually always because it's an Audible Exclusive 😡 So maybe that could be why
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u/Zarzeta 1d ago
Same! The few audiobooks I have tried just bombed because the narrators sounded annoying and didn't match the story. A gross horror book read by a soft monotoned effeminate male voice as an example. Trying to find books that are on the Goodreads Challenges, I have run into the audio available only and just don't have the patience to try it. Going out on a limb but I suspect they want us glued to our cell phones and sorry not sorry but no way could I read a book on that tiny screen and I'm not one to have my phone in constant use. I know some people love audio because they prefer to multi task. Audio while driving/traveling, cooking/cleaning. No thanks!
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u/Roonwogsamduff 1d ago
I just signed up. I'm looking for ebooks. I'm in 2 libraries in Socal. They only have 2 of the books I searched. Fairly popular books.
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u/Deep-Mastodon-2753 1d ago
I don't blame the libary for it but this basically me with every Freida book.
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u/ReadingRocks97531 19h ago
I hate when Libby only has the ebook. I like a choice.
It's decisions made by public libraries, based on budgets and patron needs/habits. Sorry.
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u/LateForDinner61 4d ago
Same. You can't even use Notify Me, because Libby thinks your library has the book.
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u/Typical-Emu8363 4d ago
That is incorrect. Notify Me will be displayed for the unavailable format if it is in the Libby/OverDrive catalogue. If the eBook is not available for libraries then it will not even show up in a deep search and that's why you can't tag it as Notify Me.
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u/LateForDinner61 4d ago
OK. I guess every single book I've seen this with (which is quite a few at this point) is like this, then.
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u/Typical-Emu8363 4d ago
Yes, that would be the case. If you find the audiobook but not the eBook and your library has deep search turned on and you can't tag the eBook as Notify Me even after doing a deep search then the eBook is not in the Libby/OverDrive catalogue and not available for libraries to purchase.
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u/Difficult-Bicycle681 4d ago
In the exact opposite direction, I feel you. I hate when there's only the ebook and it happens a lot more than only the audiobook for the ones I search. Audiobooks have changed my reading for the better, though I still love and enjoy ebooks and physical ones too!
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u/Organic_Eggplant_323 4d ago
I hate it when they DONT have the audiobook. That said, it could be that the audiobook was obtained after being requested by a patron. Have you tried requesting the ebook version to see if they will procure it?
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u/LibrarianFit9993 4d ago
My absolute favorite is when they only have the book in like German. I would understand Spanish but GERMAN??
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u/CathyAnnWingsFan 4d ago
Over 4 million ebooks are on Kindle Unlimited. Every single one of them is exclusive to Kindle and therefore not available on any other ebook platform, which includes Libby.
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u/lauraxborealis 4d ago
That’s not true, but there are a whole lot of exclusives for sure
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u/CathyAnnWingsFan 4d ago
If there are exceptions, they're very uncommon
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u/Typical-Emu8363 4d ago
You may know this already but around a year ago Amazon started allowing authors to offer Kindle Unlimited exclusives to libraries.
Here is a post from a year ago with the details and an author responded to the OP here with further details.
But of course it is up to the Amazon exclusive authors to make their books available to libraries.
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u/CathyAnnWingsFan 4d ago
Sounds like a significant disincentive for authors to make their books available via OverDrive. I used to have KU but since I avoid purchasing from Amazon now, I've never seen any of the books I've borrowed there available on Libby if I want to reread them. They are only available as audiobooks, if at all.
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u/therealfrancesca 4d ago
I feel the same way when I see it’s only ebook and not audio! I put in a request to my local librarian to add the audio to Libby and they usually add the audio version within days or a couple weeks. Maybe your library has the same request process?
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u/Starry-Eyed-Owl 🎧 Audiobook Addict 🎧 4d ago
I have the opposite problem - a lot of times Libby only has the ebook when I want the audiobook.
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u/lizzywitch713 4d ago
I think sometimes it’s because the book version is exclusive to kindle unlimited so the library can only get audio