Introducing “Inspire Me”! A New Way to Discover Your Next Great Read in Libby 

At Libby, we’re always working to make your experience better, smarter, and more enjoyable for both you and your patrons. Today, we’re excited to announce a brand-new feature that we think readers everywhere will love: “Inspire Me.” 

What Is Inspire Me? 

Inspire Me is an optional, new way feature on Libby for patrons to discover books in your library’s collection using short, engaging prompts called “inspirations.” Built into the Libby app, this feature uses artificial intelligence with the magic of a library’s digital collection to surface hidden gems and tailor-made recommendations. Inspire Me prioritizes titles that are immediately available to borrow.

Here’s how it works: 

• Readers are first prompted to choose between fiction or nonfiction titles, or they can select one of their saved tags to receive recommendations. Next, they are asked to choose the intended audience, adults, teens or kids.  
• Users are presented with characteristics such as “ancient“, “cozy“, “mythic“. Followed by series of brief, 6–7 word inspirations  “Mythological figures navigate modern urban landscapes“ or “Magical creatures emerge from historical shadows” 
• Tapping on an inspiration activates a search across the patron’s active library to find five relevant titles that are ready to borrow. 
• Each title comes with a short description of how that book matches the inspiration.

Think of it like a “choose-your-own-adventure” for patrons’ next great read. 

Why We Built Inspire Me 

Our goals with Inspire Me are simple. We want to delight readers with personalized, engaging recommendations from day one, while highlighting under-circulated titles already owned by your library to increase their visibility and appeal. Inspire Me also helps ease the demand for the most popular books by introducing patrons to equally compelling options they might not otherwise discover. 

Whether it’s a new Libby user finding their first book or a seasoned reader exploring something new, Inspire Me makes their book search easier, more fun, and instantly rewarding. 

Responsible AI Use in Libby 

We’re excited to integrate AI into Libby in a way that aligns with our values. As a Certified B Corp, we are deeply committed to transparency, environmental stewardship, and respect for intellectual property, all of which guide how we implement and integrate new technologies.  

When a patron first uses Inspire Me, they’ll see a clear explanation of how the feature works, along with a link to our Libby & Artificial Intelligence statement on privacy, environmental impact, and content rights.  

“Inspire Me uses responsible AI integration to help patrons dive deeper into the incredible catalogs their local libraries have curated,” said Jen Leitman, OverDrive’s Chief Marketing Officer. “By surfacing titles that align with what readers are searching for, Inspire Me helps patrons discover more of the books their libraries have already invested in. It’s not about replacing human insight, it’s about making discovery easier, smarter, and more intuitive.” 

Try It Out! 

We can’t wait for you and your patrons to try Inspire Me. It’s live in the Libby app now and ready to help readers find their next great read. 

Programming Ideas 

• Host an “Libby Appy Hour” event to promote Libby and introduce the new feature. Invite patrons to bring their own snacks and drinks while they learn how to use the app and become Super Libby users.  
• Set out bowls filled with suggestion slips. One bowl can contain slips labeled fiction or nonfiction. A second bowl can include slips with the descriptive characteristics you see in Libby. Patrons can use these selections as inspiration for in-app prompts to receive book recommendations. 
• Create some sample prompts and display the book recommendations on a shelf for in– person check outs.  This encourages patrons to use the app and allows in-person library patrons to discover new books!  
• Host a contest for the most creative prompt. Encourage patrons to share screenshots, tag your library’s social media accounts, and use the hashtag #LibbyInspireMe to participate. 

Happy reading!