If you are a Libby power user, you may already know that we have agreements with neighboring library systems that let us share titles that aren’t currently checked out. I have posted about reciprocal lending in a previous post.
Adding them to your Libby app used to take several steps, but the folks at OverDrive have found a way to streamline setup and access. Here is a video about lending partnerships made by OverDrive.
Your Libraries vs. Partner Libraries
I want to start by clarifying the difference between “Your Libraries” and “Partner Libraries.” Tap the menu icon 
and scroll down.
Your Libraries
The Your Libraries section shows each entity for which you have a different library card. For instance, you may have a New York Public Library card in addition to your Upper Hudson Library System (UHLS) card. They have different numbers, renewal dates, and procedures, and you can’t use them interchangeably.
Partner Libraries
Keep scrolling down to the partner libraries section. This list shows all the library systems that will accept your UHLS card number to check out items from their Libby collections. Some restrictions apply when borrowing from partner library collections.
Partner Library Benefits and Limits
With partner libraries enabled, your searches will search all the partner catalogs looking for matching titles. If your home library doesn’t have a copy available, but a partner library does, Libby will offer you the available copy. Patrons can’t place holds on partner library items.
Curious which library is offering the title? Compare the card icon to the right of the title with the card icons of your library and partner libraries.
In the example above, Mid-Hudson Library System has a copy of The Mysterious Affair at Styles to offer, and UHLS has a waiting list (clock icon) for The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.
When borrowing from a partner library for the first time, you may be prompted to enable the library and/or enter the PIN for your UHLS card.
If you prefer to browse the displays on the Libby home page rather than search, you can also access partner libraries’ displays and catalogs. Simply go back to the list of partner libraries in the menu and tap on the name of another library. Look in the top right of the page to see which catalog you are viewing.
Summary
OverDrive listened to library feedback that the process of adding partner libraries had too many steps. In response, OverDrive added the partner libraries for patrons automatically, making it a snap to access multiple collections!
