The ReciproCard Report: Connecticut
Overview
Based on my research and input from ReciproCard users, Connecticut has agreements, but they're not as prevalent as some other states.
Libraries and Libby Participation
Library systems: 190
On Libby: 157 (82.6%)
Not on Libby: 33
The ones not on Libby: Abington Social Library, Aldrich Free Public Library, Bakerville Library, Inc., Berlin Free Library Association, Broad Brook Library, Cora J. Belden Library, Cornwall Library Association, E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, East Berlin Library Association, East Glastonbury Public Library, East Norwalk Library, Farmington Libraries, plus 21 more.
Not every library system uses Libby. Some offer digital borrowing through other services, and a few haven't adopted a digital platform yet. This report only covers libraries that are on Libby.
Unique Catalogs
Connecticut has 18 different shared digital catalogs. Every one you can reach through a partnership, an agreement, or a non-resident card is a different library of books on Libby. The collections really do differ from one system to the next, so every new card here is a real upgrade.
A shared digital catalog, sometimes called a consortium, is a collection of ebooks and audiobooks that multiple library systems fund and share together. Each catalog listed below is a separate collection. Libraries that belong to the same one are all drawing from the same pool of books.
Ten Largest Catalogs
| Catalog | Library systems |
|---|---|
| Bibliomation, Inc. | 71 |
| Library Connection, Inc. | 44 |
| LION: Libraries Online | 26 |
| Greenwich Library | 2 |
| Bridgeport Public Library | 1 |
| Danbury Public Library | 1 |
| Darien Library | 1 |
| Fairfield Public Library | 1 |
| The Ferguson Library | 1 |
| Hartford Public Library | 1 |
Plus 8 more, 14 of which serve a single library.
A shared catalog is what happens when a group of libraries pool their money and buy one collection together. With this many separate catalogs in one state, every card you can get is potentially a whole new library of books, so the gaps in my data here are frustrating.
New Card Opportunities
New card opportunities: 104
Through agreements: 89
Through Libby Partners: 15
I've confirmed 104 new card opportunities across the state. They cover 86 of Connecticut's 157 Libby libraries, which is 54.8%. So roughly 45.2% of libraries here don't currently have anything attached to them.
A new card opportunity is any time a library system's cardholders can access a Libby catalog they don't already have, as identified by ReciproCard. These come from Libby partnerships (where your existing card works at another library's catalog), reciprocal agreements (where you apply for a free card at another system), and statewide programs (where a library is open to all residents regardless of location). ReciproCard filters out duplicate catalogs, so each opportunity listed here represents access to a genuinely different collection. Keep in mind that ReciproCard only tracks agreements that include Libby access. Many libraries have reciprocity for physical books but not Libby, and those aren't counted here.
That doesn't mean those libraries have no agreements, but based on my research Connecticut doesn't have many that provide access to Libby.
Open to everyone in the state
1 library in Connecticut will give a card to any resident of the state. 0 online, 1 in person. If your own library came up empty, this is the place to start.
How Connecticut Compares
- 17th of 51 for number of library systems (190).
- 10th of 51 for separate Libby catalogs (18).
- 21st of 51 for new card opportunities (104).
- 12th of 51 for opportunities through Libby Partners (15).
- Largest catalog: Bibliomation, Inc. (71 libraries).
Explore Other States
Haven't Searched Your Own Library Yet?
This report gives you the statewide picture, but your results depend on your local system. If you haven't already, enter your home library system in the search above to see what cards you might be eligible for.