Basically you log into Libby with you local library creds and look for a title or author and pray. The app doesn’t have everything but I can generally find something, particularly new content. When you check it out, you typically get it for 21 days and the service will remove it from your device when the checkout period ends. If you don’t finish it in that time, it will remember your place for the next time you’re able to check it out.

But the coolest part is that it has an integrated player for both reading and listening to books.

As of a couple days ago, I had both an ebook and audiobook that I was reading checked out via the service. But then I received a notification that I was being jumped ahead on a waitlist for a book I’d had on hold for a few weeks and for which I was still a few people back in the queue.

I’m not sure why, but I was being granted a Skip-the-Line Loan. I could get it right away but the catch was that I’d only get it for seven days instead of the standard 21. Nothing like a reduced checkout timeframe to motivate you to get through it quickly. As of 48 hours in, I’m 85% of the way through the book.

This is a really cool benefit that I’d love to know how it’s given to people. Three years in and this is the first time I’ve ever received it. I’d like it more.