No one told me you can add multiple cards to Libby
A few months ago I was getting ready for a trip by doing what I normally do: fill my e-reader full of new books. The trip included a very long journey on a train, so I wanted to make sure I had plenty to read (another reason why I prefer e-readers to physical books).
I use Libby to borrow books, and my local library normally has everything I've ever searched for, usually with no waiting period either. However, now that it's Summer, that has changed. I guess everyone is doing their Summer reading or checking out books for vacation or something because there's now a waiting period for almost every single book.
I keep a "to-do" list in Obsidian of all the books I'm reading/want-to-read. I was going down the list, searching for them in Libby, and I was about 20 books deep before I realized how fruitless it all was. Nothing was available.
So I did some Googling and discovered you can add multiple library cards to Libby. Now, this might not be news to you, but it was to me! The library card I was currently using was the first and only library card I had ever had (outside of school). It never occurred to me to get another one. But considering how every book I wanted was unavailable, I realized I had no other option than to get a second library card and hope there were more available books at a different library network.
Fortunately, technology makes this super easy. I got an e-card from another library network that operates in a different city. Most libraries won't give you a card if you live outside the city they serve, but this library had an agreement with the other networks that you could open an account with them as long as you also had a card from the other networks (why is this difficult to explain?). Whatever, I got another stupid card.
Then I added it to Libby, added my card number, and done. I could now search both library networks. Whenever a book was unavailable in one network, all I had to do was search the other one. The new network had fewer books but way more availability and zero waitlists. I was able to borrow all the books I wanted with no issues. I then downloaded about three books to my e-reader and then switched on Airplane Mode so that I wouldn't have to worry about Libby taking the books back once they were due.
I often think of the old days of trying to stuff thick, physical books into a suitcase and it feels like the Stone Ages. When people get all doom-and-gloom about technology, I think of moments like this and feel immensely privileged. Or maybe I'm just easy to please.
Anyway, that's the PSA.