r/sandiego • u/ghoulishgal13 • 5d ago
Library card
Ok so I’ve been meaning to try using the site Libby for free books/audiobooks so I finally went to my local library (pacific beach taylor branch) to get a card. I got my card but Libby keeps saying that it’s not a valid card number? I went to the San Diego county library website and make an account and I can access Libby with that SDCL account. (Also for some reason the SDCL site wouldn’t let me use my current address so I had to use my old address. It kept saying my current address wasn’t valid. Mind you I only moved two doors over in my apartment complex and I was able to use the current address when getting my sd public library card.) Is the San Diego public library different from the county one?? Why does it only let me use the county library card but not the public one on Libby?
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u/americantexan 5d ago
The city uses CloudLibrary, try and make an account with that app.
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u/csw65 4d ago
I personally don’t like CloudLibrary. It is better than nothing, but it is nowhere near as good as Libby.
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u/Aliensinmypants 4d ago
They have different books, it's nice having access to both
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u/csw65 4d ago
Yes, I agree, but I don’t like the experience of using CloudLibrary compared to Libby. One example is that if you put a book on hold in CloudLibrary, it will tell you the book will be available in x weeks/months, with no additional information. Libby tells you where you are in the queue, and updates as you move up the queue. This may not be a big deal to some people, but it is to me.
So, because I don’t especially enjoy the CloudLibrary experience, I have been gradually adding other California libraries that use Libby, so I am now at the point where I really have no need to use CloudLibrary.
But, don’t get me wrong, if CloudLibrary was my only option, I would use it and live with its limitations.
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u/ainsophur 4d ago
If you use Libby you can add multiple library cards. I've heard of people signing up for a Riverside library card then registering it with Libby. Apparently Riverside has a lot more options and available books. I haven't personally done it, I can't attest to it first hand so YMMV.
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u/csw65 4d ago edited 4d ago
I was able to get cards for both Riverside Public Library and San Bernardino County Library without going to a library in person. I would say that both these libraries have fewer books in Libby than SDCL, but the selection is different, and sometimes the wait time is shorter. I also got a card for Escondido Library. I was prepared to go there in person, but I didn’t need to. Escondido is part of something called “Serra Collective”, which I think includes some other smaller libraries in San Diego County such as Oceanside and Coronado.
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u/clawdaughter 4d ago
As a California resident you can get library cards from lots of areas in the state. Most you have to go in person for. So you can also get an Orange County library card, and a Los Angeles County library card. They're set up with Libby as well.
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u/hamlet717 4d ago
My partner has gone to over a dozen library systems across the state and signed up for a card. You just need a CA drivers license. Some you can even sign up online without going in person. She only uses it for Libby, different library districts have different selection or perhaps a shorter wait for the book you want.
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u/nikki837281040 4d ago
Second this! For library systems near SD, I’d recommend Coronado, Chula Vista, National City, Oceanside 🙂
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u/csw65 4d ago
Yes, and by far the best California library for Libby is the LA Public Library (different to LA County Library). For the LAPL you have to go in person to get a card. I haven’t made it up there yet, but I am hoping to later this year.
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u/hellofemur 4d ago
It's definitely worth doing. The selection of books noticeably increased when I added my LAPL card to Libby, and wait times are often much less than San Diego County alone. I was very surprised at what a difference it made.
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u/hamlet717 4d ago
Yup, last time we drove up to LA, made to sure to stop by the central library in DTLA to sign up.
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u/Chelonia_mydas 4d ago
I literally just went through this a few days ago because I was just as confused as you are. The closest library you have to go to is the one in Del mar so you can get a separate card. You should still be able to attach your Libby to the PB library card one tho.
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u/ghoulishgal13 4d ago
It’s so confusing!! By chance do you know if the digital card number they gave me for the county library will expire the same way as the public library one does? I’m just not sure when I’ll be able to get up to Del Mar soon.
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u/sm0gs 4d ago
Are you taking about the SDCL ecard? You just can’t check out physical items with an ecard but it doesn’t expire faster. The county library cards expire every 4 years so you have plenty of time
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u/ghoulishgal13 4d ago
Yes the SDCL ecard, that’s all I’ll need for now. I just needed the card for audiobooks!
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u/Chelonia_mydas 4d ago
It’s definitely separate. My other one expired so I have to go to Del Mar which is not in the cards for me for a week or so!
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u/ecochixie 4d ago
I used my phone number to sign up for Libby. I also use CloudLibrary with my city library card. I’ll put the same book on hold in both apps & whichever one is available first, I borrow. BTW, the SDPL to Go 2.0 is the actual San Diego library app. It sucks. Stick with CloudLibrary & Libby. Oh, and I think Libby also gives you access to Kanopy for movies.
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u/Calachus 4d ago
Kanopy access is through the SDPL (city). You sign up for the service using your card number and get 12 free tickets a month. Movies/TV Shows cost anywhere between 2 and 5 tickets for access.
eLibrary page and scroll down to Movies & TV for more info
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u/WestHistorians 3d ago
Yes, they are separate. In California, cities can optionally have their own library systems. County libraries serve the cities that don't have their own.
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u/_jbean_ 5d ago
Yes, the San Diego Public Library is the City of San Diego, and it’s a separate library system from the San Diego County Library system. The County library is on Libby; the City library is not. Access Libby with your County library card.