Using Libby on Your Computer

If you’re a Libby fan (like me), you’ve probably been regularly using your e-reader, tablet or phone to read library books from the amazing collection of e-books, e-audiobooks and magazines available using the Libby App. You’ll have downloaded Libby for free from your app store – Google Play or the Apple App Store - and signed up using the prompts. (If you haven’t yet discovered the wonders of Libby, here’s a link to the library website for Getting Started with Libby.)

Recently, I came across the Libbyapp.com site which allows you to read your downloaded books on your computer. I have to say, I got quite excited.

Yes, I know, a tablet, e-reader or phone is more portable, and more like reading a physical book than a computer ever can be. But what if your hand-held device needs charging, and you’re desperate to finish that chapter.

Or you might struggle to find a book you want to read by scrolling through the options using the small screen on your phone. It’s so easy to see numerous titles at a glance on a computer, borrow your selected title then read it on your smaller device. Whether it’s an e-book or e-audiobook, you’ll soon be lost in a story.

For some, reading on a computer is just going to be physically easier. And then there are the keyboard shortcuts. Press the Question Mark key (shift + ?) to see over a dozen useful shortcuts that will allow you to easily change the appearance of the text, progress to the next chapter or the previous chapter, bookmark the page and much more.

There's the option to have a single page on your big screen at one time, the better to enlarge the text - so much easier when reading the instructions for your knitting pattern or reading a recipe. It’s easy with a mouse to navigate through the options on your computer to widen the space between lines or choose a dyslexic-friendly font – things you can also do on your hand-held devices but which can sometimes seem a little fiddly.

Reading using the libbyapp.com on a computer can be a real bonus for students. So easy to have a word-processing document open for taking notes, or a search engine open for background research – everything there in front of you on your desktop. And those maps and diagrams will be so much clearer.

Then there’s magazines. The library has an extensive list of popular magazines on Libby, but I’ve not often tried to read them on my phone or e-reader, as they just look a bit small. But on my computer, it’s another story. Whether it’s interior design, craft or cooking, some magazines just seem to work better on a bigger screen.

Oh, and don’t forget graphic novels or children’s picture books. You’ll be able to really immerse yourself in their art and design on a laptop or PC.

So have a go at the Libbyapp.com site. The only limitation I can see is that you’ll need to be online to use it. If you’ve already got a Libby book or magazine downloaded on a smaller device, it will be there at Libbyapp.com just waiting for you. Make sure you’re using the latest version of your browser for ease of experience. Happy reading!

Posted by JAM

30 August 2023

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