One of the things I truly cherish about Europe is the incredible network of public libraries and the open access to books for everyone! My weekly library visits have become my little escape—my Me Time—a moment to unwind and lose myself in an endless world of books. The quiet, peaceful atmosphere is something I truly enjoy. And when I ask my girls, “Where should we go today?”, I almost always hear a chorus response—“Library!” That’s how often we visit. I got my firstborn a library card when she was just 9 months old, and soon after, I did the same for my second. In Switzerland, library cards for children are free and often connected to their school. They even use the same card when visiting with their teacher! Over the years, I’ve explored the English section and delved into German language-learning resources. Through our local library, we read physical books and also have access to eBooks and audiobooks through apps like Libby and Onleihe. Here’s how!
Libby: My Library on the Go!
Libby is a free app that lets you borrow e-books, audiobooks, and magazines from your local library. Here’s how it works:
- Install the App – Download the Libby app on your phone, tablet, or iPad. It’s available on both the Play Store and the App Store.
- Sign In to Your Library – Once installed, tap “Add Library” in the app. You can search for your library by name, city, or zip code. Then, sign in with your library card (the number under the barcode). If you don’t have a card yet, you can request one.
- Start Borrowing – Search for a specific book or browse through categories like Fiction, Non-Fiction, Thrillers, Classics, Educational, Language Learning, and more.
Not every book is available instantly though—some have waitlists, just like in a real library. But before placing a hold, you’ll see a message like “You are 1st in line” or “2 people waiting”, giving you an idea of the waiting time. It may seem like a lot of steps, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll love how easy and convenient it is! Borrowing is simple—just download the book to your device, and you’re ready to read or listen! Like a traditional library, books have a loan period. If you need more time, you can extend your loan—unless someone else is waiting, in which case you’ll have to return it and borrow it again later.
Reading on Kindle or Tolino
- If you’re based in the U.S., you have the option to send your borrowed book directly to Kindle.
- In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Tolino is the preferred e-reader for borrowing books from Onleihe. However, you can conveniently access and read these books on any Android tablet, iPad, or smartphone.
Looking for German Books? Try Onleihe!
Are you looking to improve your German or dive into German audiobooks? Then you need something else!
I once casually asked the librarian why there were so few German books on Libby. He gave me a knowing look and said, ‘Libby is mostly for English books. For German, try Onleihe.’ Installing Onleihe is similar to Libby, making it easy to get started. Onleihe is a free app available through many libraries, allowing you to borrow e-books, audiobooks, magazines, and newspapers in German. It’s perfect for anyone wanting to explore digital books in the German language!
How I Use Libby and Onleihe
I mostly borrow physical books from my library and occasionally read eBooks on my tablet. But I borrow and listen to audiobooks from the apps, which makes it super convenient while on the go. As for Kindle, it’s my go-to for eBooks, and I buy them on Amazon. I enjoy reading paperbacks and e-books, but I love the flexibility of listening to books while cooking, doing chores, or taking a walk in the neighborhood. One of the best things about raising kids in this generation is the easy access to books in various forms. My mini bookworms get to choose what they love—English or German books—while I pick mine. Sometime last year, my husband and I were completely hooked on the Apple series Dark Matter. After finishing it, we wanted more from the author, so we looked up Blake Crouch and found Upgrade. We read it on our devices and shared our thoughts along the way!
From reading paperbacks to Kindle and now Libby—that’s my upgrade! Of course, other apps like BorrowBox and Storybox Library are specific to different countries. I’ve shared my thoughts on these two—what’s your go-to app for library books?
