In the footer

• Tap Search to search for titles.
• Tap Library to open the library collection you were most recently browsing.
• Tap Menu to customize your settings, add another library card, get help, and more.
• Tap Shelf to see your loans, holds, and magazines for all your libraries, access your timeline, and check your notices.
• Tap Tags to view and manage your tags.

PROBLEM: “My hold disappeared, and I didn’t get notified!”

WHAT’S HAPPENING: If a title is removed from the library's catalog while you're waiting, you won’t be notified, it simply vanishes from your holds.

TIPS:

• Regularly check your Holds list to ensure your items are still active. If a title is missing, it may have been removed from the collection.
• Add a Tag to keep track of books you really want—so if they disappear, you can search again later. See more.
• Track Your History: You can use the Timeline on your Shelf to track your reading history in Libby, including cancelled holds whose names you can't remember. See more.

PROBLEM: “Why are the wait times so long?”

WHAT’S HAPPENING: Libby titles are shared among all Arlington Public Library users, just like physical books. Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, we are often able to only license a few digital copies of a popular title. As many people place holds, the line grows fast. Wait times can also vary based on licensing limits (some titles expire after a certain number of checkouts or time period) or publisher restrictions.

TIPS:

• Search “Available Now” – Filter by availability to find books you can check out immediately. See more.
• Borrow samples – Some titles allow you to read a preview while waiting. Tap “Read Sample” or “Play Sample” to preview a book or audiobook before checking it out.
• Try multiple formats – If the audiobook has a long wait, check if the ebook is available.

PROBLEM: “Why does it feel like I’m stuck in the same spot on the holds list forever?”

WHAT’S HAPPENING: We all want our turn faster—and a few small actions can make a big difference for everyone waiting. 

TIPS:

• Cancel holds you no longer need – Changed your mind? Help shorten the line for someone else by removing holds you’re no longer interested in. See more.
• Return items early – Finished your book or audiobook before the due date? Awesome—returning it early makes it available for the next reader ASAP. See more.
• Act quickly when your hold comes in – When you get the notification, check out the title or suspend your hold if you’re not quite ready. If it lapses, it delays access for the next person.

PROBLEM: “I’m done reading, but I can’t borrow anything new.”

WHAT’S HAPPENING: Libby enforces checkout limits of 20 titles, and finished items still count toward that limit until they’re returned.

TIP:

• Return titles early to open up space for your next great read.
  • Go to Shelf > Loans > Manage Loan > Return Early to manually return a book.
  • Kindle Books can't be early returned in Libby, but you can return them from Amazon's website, your Kindle ereader, or the Kindle app.

PROBLEM: “My book became available, but I’m not ready to read it.”

WHAT’S HAPPENING: Libby gives you 3 days to borrow a hold once it's ready, even if the timing isn’t ideal. If you miss your hold initially, you won't lose your place in line and you'll have another opportunity to pick it up. However, if you miss your hold window a second time, your hold will be cancelled.

TIPS:

• Tap “Deliver Later” to delay your hold for up to 180 days and keep your place in line. See more.
• Use “Suspend Hold” to pause your place in the queue before the title becomes available. See more.

PROBLEM: “The text is too small, the screen is too bright, or it's hard to read for long periods.”

WHAT’S HAPPENING: Libby’s default reading settings may not be ideal for everyone, especially for night reading, visual comfort, or accessibility needs.

TIPS:

• Change Font Size & Style – Tap the  icon while reading to adjust the text size and/or choose a font for easier reading.
• Switch Background Color – Tap the  icon and choose from bright, sepia, or dark backgrounds to reduce glare and eye strain.
• Enable Dark Mode – Ideal for reading at night or in low light. If your device is in dark mode, the reader in Libby will automatically use the dark theme.

PROBLEM: “I have to manually send every book to my Kindle.”

WHAT’S HAPPENING: Your default settings in Libby are not set to automatically send borrowed ebooks to your Kindle—you have to tap “Read With Kindle” and sign in each time.

TIP:

• Set Kindle as Your Default – Tap Menu , then Read Books With... (under "Settings"). Tap Kindle to open books that way by default.