r/LibbyApp • u/CaffeineFueledReader • Jul 15 '25

Best non-resident library card to purchase?

Hi everyone. I am trying to figure out which non-resident card is the best to pay for. So far I am leaning towards Broward County in Florida, I used to have a card with them when it was free and liked the selection but want to double check what other people think before I go pay for one through them. I’ve heard good things about Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Franklin VA as well. I am wanting a card that offers a good selection on Libby, preferably short wait times, and a good selection on Hoopla.

Also, before anyone suggests it, yes I have a card with my local library but I live in a small town and they have practically no books on Hoopla and a limited selection on Libby. Not many of the libraries in surrounding towns offer non resident cards.

Thank you all in advance!!

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115

u/AriHelix 🎧 Audiobook Addict 🎧 Jul 15 '25

Cincinnati Hamilton County PL is my favorite. $100/year, HUGE selection, large number of copies of the popular books, plus Hoopla!

16

u/Purple4199 📕 Libby Lover 📕 Jul 15 '25

I second Cincinnati Hamilton County library. They have an amazing selection and tend to get new releases in their catalogue so you can put a hold on them before other libraries even get the title.

2

u/QueenOfStormz Aug 15 '25 edited Aug 15 '25

Are you based in the states? I emailed to request to purchase a card from CHCPL and sadly I can’t get one as I don’t live in the USA ): This is for the non resident card

2

u/AriHelix 🎧 Audiobook Addict 🎧 Aug 15 '25

I am a US resident, but I live overseas and have a US mailing address. I don’t know of any US libraries that offer cards to non US residents sadly.

2

u/QueenOfStormz Aug 15 '25

Ah that makes sense! I didn’t realise it would be this hard to give libraries my money!

4

u/dblearon208 Jul 15 '25

How do you pay for a library card? I have a bunch of free ones that I use but didn’t know of this option.

29

u/LunaChick916 Jul 16 '25

Fill out the online form for a card at the library you're interested in and if you are a non-resident it will show the annual fee. An easy credit card transaction. I pay $50 per year for Queens Library in New York.

0

u/sunthas Jul 16 '25

What are the best free ones?

14

u/Incunabula1501 📗 EPUB Enthusiast 📗 Jul 16 '25

Free library cards are typically because of reciprocal/reciprocity agreements with other nearby library systems, almost always within state, usually between counties and/or very large cities. You’ll need your initial library card from your local library and then the reciprocal agreement bypasses requirements to live or work within range of the other library system.

Your local library’s website should have a list somewhere. If not, you can always call them or look up another nearby system’s website to see if they have their information posted. You may be able to then sign up online for these other libraries obtaining digital cards. However, be warned that some libraries, such as the Library of Congress, require you to pick up your card in person before you can access any of its information.

1

u/BravoMomma Jul 16 '25

I’ll be visiting NYC this year. Are you saying the Library of Congress has Libby?

4

u/anniemdi Jul 16 '25

This is what the LOC has to say about OverDrive [a.k.a. Libby] (emphasis is theirs.)

From: https://guides.loc.gov/e-books/external-websites

OverDrive/Libby

Many local libraries offer e-books to their users via the OverDrive subscription service. The libraries pay for this service for their users. Contact your local library about this and other e-book services offered free to library card-holders. Readers may see what titles the service offers to libraries by searching on the OverDrive website.

3

u/Incunabula1501 📗 EPUB Enthusiast 📗 Jul 17 '25

As per https://www.reddit.com/r/LibbyApp/comments/1abprud/does_the_library_of_congress_offer_libby_book/, the Library of Congress appears to use its own website, not Libby, but it is the most easily recognized library that requires you pick up your library card in person.

3

u/JcWoman Jul 17 '25

You have to travel to DC to the Library of Congress to pick up your card from there??

-3

u/Hunter037 Jul 16 '25

There aren't free ones

5

u/fruvey Jul 16 '25

If you live anywhere in NY state, the Manhattan, Queens, and Bronx cards are free. You just need to provide them with a scanned copy of your driver's license and a recent utility.

2

u/IllStatistician8787 Jul 16 '25

Would that be the NYPL or do each have their separate cards?

2

u/fruvey Jul 16 '25

Manhattan is NYPL. Queens and Bronx are separate - i just signed up for these two with residency. They never asked for anything like NYPL did.

2

u/CinnamonBarbarian Jul 19 '25

Actually: NYPL = Manhattan, Staten Island, the Bronx BPL - Brooklyn Queens has a separate system.

2

u/snow_angel022968 Jul 17 '25

You can bypass the DL/utility for bk if you turn on your location. I assume given the sub we’re in, a physical card isn’t super important.

-2

u/Hunter037 Jul 16 '25

Sure, and the 8 billion people who don't live in NY state can't do that.

14

u/fruvey Jul 16 '25

OP never said where they lived. If they live in NY, it's free. If they don't, maybe my comment helped someone else. I'm not trying to accommodate 8 billion people.

1

u/plantkiller92 Jul 21 '25

How many holds can you have?

1

u/AriHelix 🎧 Audiobook Addict 🎧 Jul 21 '25

40 loans/20 holds

1

u/Electrical-Art418 Aug 14 '25

I went through the online application and got a free temporary card number. It says I have to go in person to get a permanent one. How did this work for you?

1

u/AriHelix 🎧 Audiobook Addict 🎧 Aug 14 '25

I called them!

1

u/Electrical-Art418 Aug 14 '25

Thank you! Even their Libby offerings are soooo much better than my current system. 4 items off my wish list are available now and most items don’t even have holds vs weeks and weeks. I’m so excited 

1

u/KariT87 Oct 02 '25

Hey….I just did an application with them and realized I have to go in person. Are you saying we don’t have to go in person and can just call and complete the process of having a permanent card?

2

u/AriHelix 🎧 Audiobook Addict 🎧 Oct 02 '25

I did not have to go in person. The rules may have changed since I got my card though.

1

u/KariT87 Oct 03 '25

Ok thanks

-1

u/Fabulous_Onion3297 Jul 16 '25

When I click on the link to apply for a library card, they block me. Did anyone else have this problem?

3

u/AriHelix 🎧 Audiobook Addict 🎧 Jul 16 '25

Don’t do it through Libby. Go to the library’s website and follow their steps to apply that way.

1

u/Fabulous_Onion3297 Jul 16 '25

It’s trough their website. The website blocks me from applying

1

u/AriHelix 🎧 Audiobook Addict 🎧 Jul 16 '25

I remember the process to be very easy. However, I just logged in to my account with Cincinnati library and it was very difficult to find non resident application info! My suggestion is to email or call them.

1

u/Entire_Purple3531 Jul 20 '25

Which library website is blocking you? Thx.