5 Search Features in Libby That Every Bookworm Will Love
By: Rickie Mascia, OverDrive Social Media Specialist
Throughout the year, libraries add thousands of eBooks and audiobooks to their digital collection, making it fairly easy to get lost in a sea of titles when searching for your next great read. Libby, our one-tap reading app, is equipped with numerous tools that refine search results based on a reader’s selected preferences. In the app, you are able to set specific parameters that are personalized to your reading habits and interests. These features eliminate titles that do not match selected criteria, providing a seamless searching experience for exploring their libraries digital collection.
Here are a few of our favorite tips and tricks that will help every bookworm find their next read with ease!
1. Search the series.
Libby’s newest search feature makes finding series information faster, easier and more accessible.
Run a search for an entire series by typing the series name directly into the search bar. A series search will pull a list of all the titles (and only the titles) in the selected series that are available at your local library. Additionally, titles in a series are now marked as “[number] in series” in lists and search results. A book’s place in a series can also be found on its ‘details screen’. You can view any title’s ‘details screen’ by clicking on its cover art, which displays all the information about the selected title, including an overview of the chronological order of the other books in the series.
2. This isn’t your average search, this is…advanced search.
Advanced Search allows you to search for digital titles by multiple criteria, including subject, series, audience, format, ISBN, and more. Ideal for readers that are looking for a new title to read, but do not have an exact book in mind. Selecting specific parameters in your search will produce tailored and personalized search results.
3. Sort and filter.
Standardize your search preferences. Select your desired criteria by tapping the plus sign (on your library’s main page in the Libby app) and then tap the ‘Apply Preferences’ button. These settings will be saved to your account ensuring that all future search results generate lists that best match your individual reading habits. Preferences can be saved to automatically filter search results by availability, sort by (relevance, popularity, date added, release date, author, title), language, audience, and compatibility. This feature can also be a useful tool for parents to monitor the content that filters into their children’s search results.
Refine your search. Limit the number of titles that appear in your results by utilizing the ‘Refine’ link (found in your search results). Selecting ‘Refine’ will prompt Libby to display additional filters that can be selected to narrow down your search including sort by, language, audience, and compatibility. A specific search can also be sorted the same way you save your overall account preferences by simply tapping the plus sign to select additional filters with-in your search results.
4. Remove saved search items.
Libby automatically creates a log of your search items directly underneath the search bar. This feature provides you with an overview of all titles, authors, series, etc. that you have searched for in the past. If you prefer your lists not be saved, there is an option for you to remove them from the log. Simply tap the search bar as if you were going to run a search, this will prompt your search log to appear. Swipe left on the search item you would like to clear from the log and a red box that says “remove” will appear next to the search item.
5. BISAC search.
BIASC search is a dream search for readers that may not know the genre or subject or really anything other than a keyword that may help them find the title they are looking for. Use keywords such as ‘Holiday Romance’ in your search to view a list filled with every title available in your local library’s digital collection that matches that description. It does not matter what type of book you are looking for BISAC search will help you find your next great read much easier.
Learn more about Libby by visiting our Help page!
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How do I eliminate certain categories within a subject. For example. I want available fantasy but I dont want to page thru a myriad of anime suggestions to find available fantasy ebooks
Can Libby search by book length? I often want a short book.
How do I find only ebooks?
How do I search by author?
Simply type in the authors name.
Can you do a search by author?
You can, yes.
I’m a member of 2 different libraries. When I search for a title, does Libby present results from both libraries? Or do I have to search each one?
Currently you’ll search at both. We’re working on a universal search tool.
Any update on the universal search?
Are the books on Libby restricted to what your library has or does it search other libraries in other areas of the country?
The Libby collections are the same that you would see at your library’s overdrive website. The search will show you what your library has purchased. Libby, and all of our apps, are an extension of the library and what they purchase is what you have access to borrow.