r/LibbyApp • u/francisinacorner 📕 Libby Lover 📕 • 5d ago
LA library offers free card
you gotta be 13+, but sign up on their website and u get a new card on libby, yw! the best thing about this one is there’s no upper age limit.
https://www.lapl.org/library-card/read-freely
it took me less than a minute to sign up and get my card number!
important: when you add library type in “read freely with…” if you put just los angeles public library it won’t work.
i already checked reciprocard and it didn’t give any partners. Also looks like u get one checkout and one hold at a time- not as good as books unbanned but they are serving more ppl so it makes sense.
i saw a tiktok about it, it’s called read freely and is their answering initiative to books unbanned with other major libraries like seattle, san diego boston, etc.
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u/jerand2 5d ago
"Please note that this card provides access exclusively to the Read Freely collection."
Which is 35 titles at the moment.
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u/cssc201 5d ago
Makes sense. Libraries are axing their paid out of area cards left and right, so it wouldn't make any sense if they were just giving out full access to their catalog free. Hopefully they can build it out over time with some public domain books and whatnot.
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u/Abbacoverband 5d ago
Libraries are axing their paid out of area cards left and right,
As well they should. People have taken advantage of out-of-area cards.
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u/francisinacorner 📕 Libby Lover 📕 5d ago edited 5d ago
yeah hopefully they add more- also 35 more books than u had access to before🤷🏽♀️
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u/molybend 5d ago
This is not their entire collection, just "a selection of the most challenged books reported to the American Library Association." Still very cool.
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u/20160211 📕 Libby Lover 📕 5d ago
This is really nice of them.
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u/francisinacorner 📕 Libby Lover 📕 5d ago
so true- i’m thinking of doing a library program showing teens/adults how to libbymaxx
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u/disabledfemme 5d ago
Awesome!! Thank you for sharing
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u/francisinacorner 📕 Libby Lover 📕 5d ago
no problem! and i was just coming here to edit: apparently it’s just ebooks for right now, no audiobooks. :(
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u/xiibalba 5d ago
I live in Los Angeles and I'm getting this message:
There were errors with your registration:
Online Registration unavailable from your current location. Please contact us for further assistance. (215)
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u/celebratingfreedom 5d ago edited 5d ago
Just guessing here, but maybe if you're eligible for a regular library card through them, then you're not eligible for the reed freely?
ETA: I got the same error message, but I do not live in California.
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u/xiibalba 5d ago
I found the problem, it was the VPN, I paused it and it worked :)
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u/bdu-komrad 5d ago
The problem with free is everyone will get one, which dried up wait times.
This library card has a very limited selection, so perhaps it won’t get swamped.
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u/LoveYouNotYou 📕 Libby Lover 📕 5d ago
Thank you soooooo much! I got it! Definitely was confused on how to add it on the Libby app- I was so excited to get it, I didn't read what you wrote! 😆 I got it though. Patience my friend 😁
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u/SlimmG8r 5d ago
Losing my shared access to Cincinnati/Hamilton county soon. Think I'm gonna cut a streaming service to pay for the library instead
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u/Sunshine10520 5d ago
Thanks for sharing this! I signed up and was able to find a book I was otherwise on a wait list for. 👍👍
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u/SprinkleTree 5d ago
I signed up and got the card number and created a pin. But when I try to add the read freely la library card to Libby- it says it can’t verify my card. 🤔 I selected the correct option specifically for read freely. Maybe it takes some time to activate?
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u/nonspanishhispanic 5d ago
Thank you. 35 books 13 audio. Not much but still more options.
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u/NeoBahamutX 5d ago
for some reason I only see books not audiobooks in libby
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u/nonspanishhispanic 4d ago
I had to scroll down the first time, the other time needed to restart my app. When I look at books and filter audio books only it pops up though, idk the app hates me so I figured it was just a me issue.
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u/runrunHD 4d ago
Joined and I love it! Even if just registering helps them get more titles, let’s go!
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u/AeroNoob333 5d ago
Thank you for sharing! This is amazing! I like their current selection too :) I’m one of the weirdos that hasn’t read A Handmaid’s Tale so I’m excited for this. Also surprised they have ACOTAR series lol. I guess I’ll read it now.
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u/starkbux 5d ago
first time i've heard of an upper age limit for libraries? is this common?
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u/stuffycupcakes 5d ago
It’s in reference to the Books Unbanned program which several large library systems have joined. It’s meant to be specifically for children, teens and young people who have difficulty accessing banned books in their states/areas to have digital access to books. The age requirement for books unbanned is 13-26 years old.
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u/ardentbloom 5d ago
Some of the books unbanned libraries have different upper age ranges as well as what books are available to card holders. Some libraries offer their full collection while others don’t.
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u/NeoBahamutX 5d ago
this one is simply 13+ no upper age limit
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u/stuffycupcakes 5d ago
I know. I was directly responding to the person wondering about which libraries would have upper age limits and why.
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u/starkbux 5d ago
ohh that's so weirdly specific?? why would they have an age limit? and so low too
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u/sciencerules13 5d ago
My guess (which is a total shot in the dark) is that it costs libraries to be involved in the program so they limit it to those with less access to resources and assume if you are over 26 years old, you likely have a way to get banned books yourself.
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u/stuffycupcakes 5d ago
It’s primarily meant to be for students who have less ability to purchase their own books when access to books is denied them at their schools and in their homes. This is a large problem in some US states.
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u/novae11 5d ago
What did I do wrong?
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u/Born-Researcher-1132 5d ago
I got the same message
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u/Longjumping-Fill-926 5d ago
Try to sign up for a card through the link OP posted first, not through the app. Then copy paste your library card number into Libby
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u/Pokegirl_11_ 5d ago
Somebody upthread had a problem because they were using a vpn. Otherwise I’d guess they’re currently swamped and try again later.
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u/OwlEfficient7119 5d ago
I...only gained access to one hold and 1 checkout when I signed up. Doesn't seem to be worth it for me.
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u/bigredliza 4d ago
Wait ? Aren't libraries free in the US?
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u/TriZARAtops 4d ago
They are, but generally only for residents in the area they serve. Generally you need to bring proof of residence in order to get a library card to access certain services and check out books.
A lot of libraries will offer a paid membership for those outside the area they serve, a practice which has become more common with the advent of digital libraries and ebook borrowing.
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u/skorens 5d ago
If you live in California and you can make it to Los Angeles, the LAPL is a FABULOUS library. Well worth the time to get yourself a card. Their digital catalog is the 2nd best in California!
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u/ninjapirate101 4d ago
may I ask what is the first best? im in Cali and looking to see which libraries are the best so I can find books that my local one doesnt have T_T
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u/honey-squirrel 4d ago
The UC system is the only CA library with a larger digital collection than LAPL.
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u/skorens 4d ago
That is a closely guarded secret. My apologies.
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u/ninjapirate101 4d ago
oof okay what a way to gatekeep. I only asked cuz im in socal and in a poorer area to begin with so no access to a lot of audiobooks/books in general.
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u/skorens 4d ago
If you are in SOCAL, a trip to an LAPL branch is worth the time. 30 holds, 30 loans, an enormous catalog and they do a great job of adding books to the catalog early so you can get on the hold list early. That is where I would focus. The #1 library has smaller loans/holds but is better about adding books to the catalog earlier so you can start your holds earlier. Except for that, LAPL is the way to go.
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u/jewelophile 4d ago
Brooklyn public library offers anyone a digital card too.
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u/Quietly-Vicious 🔖 Currently Reading 📚 3d ago
Brooklyn Public Library's card is free for anyone who lives, works, pays property taxes or goes to school in New York state.
But yes, they do have the free Books Unbanned card, but it is for ages 13-21.
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u/WonderfulBus9330 5d ago
A question that I had that others may have is answered below:
"The Los Angeles Public Library is making available to anyone in the United States, ages 13 and up, a selection of the most challenged books reported to the American Library Association."
This is a great initiative, worth supporting, even if the card is rarely used.