Library Apps

While there are apps that a patron can get and use on their mobile devices that can be used in any situation, there are a few apps that are specific for libraries. Each library will have access to different apps and use each app in different ways. The purpose of most library apps are to connect with patrons or to better reach them on the devices that they are the most comfortable using. 
Examples of Library Apps for Patrons
  • Libby / Overdrive
    • ​Libby by Overdrive is an app that patrons can use to connect their library card to and borrow audiobooks, e-books, magazines, and other things for free that their library purchases. They can borrow them and immediately download them to their device for free.
    • Overdrive used to have its own separate app, but Libby is much easier to use so now Libby is the go-to app for Overdrive. ​
  • Hoopla
    • ​Hoopla is very similar to Libby in that patrons connect their library cards and get access to a ton of online materials that their library has purchased. The differences between Hoopla and Libby are that Hoopla has a set number of check-outs per month that patrons can use. Hoopla also has movies and TV shows as well as e-books. ​
  • Goodreads
    • ​Goodreads is a website owned by Amazon and is essentially a book review social media site. Patrons can use Goodreads to add books to a TBR (to-be-read) list, they can share their book reviews, and they can also connect with librarians and follow their library's Goodreads account to see what their librarians are reading. While Goodreads doesn't have library-specific tools or content, it is a great way that patrons can connect with their librarians on a more personal level.
  • Library-Specific Apps
    • ​Some public libraries have apps for their library specifically. These can include things such as browsing the new items, putting holds onto items, checking their account information, renewing items, checking library hours, looking at events, and more. Not every public library has an app specifically for their library.
  • Consortium-wide Apps
    • ​Consortium-wide apps are the same as library-specific apps, but instead of it just being information for one library, it has information for all of the libraries in the consortium that their main library is a part of. In Connecticut, we are in the process of creating such an app.
  • Self-Checkout Apps​
    • ​Sometimes libraries can have apps that patrons can use to check out books right on their phone. Patrons log in with their library cards and scan the barcode with their device's camera to check it out to their account. This could lead to complications with patrons not checking out items or forgetting to check them out. 
  • ​Barcode apps
    • ​Barcode apps are apps that can hold information about the various cards that most people have on their keychains. There are some that are library-specific, but most of them let you put in any barcode. This allows patrons to carry around less things and be able to pull up their card on their phone or mobile device.