The ReciproCard Report: Georgia
Overview
Based on my research and input from ReciproCard users, Georgia has agreements, but they're not as prevalent as some other states.
Libraries and Libby Participation
Library systems: 60
On Libby: 58 (96.7%)
Not on Libby: 2
The ones not on Libby: Lake Blackshear Regional Library System, Statesboro Regional Public Libraries.
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
Georgia has 12 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 |
|---|---|
| Georgia Download Destination | 47 |
| Bartow County Library System | 1 |
| Chattahoochee Valley Libraries | 1 |
| Cobb County Public Library System | 1 |
| Conyers-Rockdale Library System | 1 |
| Coweta Public Library System | 1 |
| DeKalb County Public Library | 1 |
| Forsyth County Public Library | 1 |
| Fulton County Library System | 1 |
| Live Oak Public Libraries | 1 |
Plus 2 more, 11 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: 11
Through agreements: 11
I've confirmed 11 new card opportunities across the state. They cover 11 of Georgia's 58 Libby libraries, which is 19.0%. So roughly 81.0% 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 Georgia doesn't have many that provide access to Libby.
Open to everyone in the state
45 libraries in Georgia will give a card to any resident of the state, regardless of where you live. 0 online, 45 in person.
If your own library came up empty, start here. These don't care where you live, so eligibility is guaranteed.
How Georgia Compares
- Tied for 39th of 51 for number of library systems (60).
- Tied for 20th of 51 for separate Libby catalogs (12).
- 29th of 51 for new card opportunities (11).
- Largest catalog: Georgia Download Destination (47 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.