The ReciproCard Report: Michigan
Overview
Michigan is one of the stronger states in the country when it comes to Libby access.
360 of its 373 library systems belong to a Libby partnership, which means many cardholders in Michigan can reach up to 16 separate digital catalogs through their existing card. No applications, no branch visits. You add them in the Libby app and start borrowing.
It adds up to 5,400 new card opportunities.
Libraries and Libby Participation
Library systems: 373
On Libby: 366 (98.1%)
Not on Libby: 7
The ones not on Libby: Amasa Community Library, Benton Harbor Public Library, Burlington Township Library, Marenisco Township Library, Pinckney Community Public Library, Saint Ignace Public Library, Somerset Township Library.
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.
New Card Opportunities
New card opportunities: 5,400
Through Libby Partners: 5,400
360 of Michigan's 366 Libby libraries, or 98.4%, have at least one.
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 single partnership covers 360 libraries and reaches 16 catalogs.
How to Add Libby Partner Libraries
1. Open Libby and tap the menu. 2. Tap Add Library. 3. Search for one of the catalogs listed below. 4. Tap Sign In With My Card, then pick your own home library from the list. 5. Enter your regular card number.
Step four is where people get stuck. You're not signing in as a member of the library you just added. You're proving you belong to a Michigan library that partners with it. Repeat for each catalog you want, and Libby will search all of them at once from then on.
Unique Catalogs
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 |
|---|---|
| Download Destination | 58 |
| Up North Digital Collection | 53 |
| White Pine Library Cooperative | 44 |
| Woodlands Downloadable Library | 42 |
| Lakeland Digital Library | 35 |
| Southwest Michigan Digital Library | 33 |
| Great Lakes Digital Libraries | 31 |
| Midwest Collaborative for Library Services | 22 |
| Suburban Library Cooperative | 16 |
| Mideastern Michigan Library Cooperative | 14 |
Plus 12 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. Instead of each small library affording a tiny collection alone, dozens team up for something much bigger. ReciproCard hides libraries that share a catalog you already have, because a second card for the same collection just shows you the same books twice.
How Michigan Compares
- 7th of 51 for number of library systems (373).
- 7th of 51 for separate Libby catalogs (22).
- 1st of 51 for new card opportunities (5,400).
- 1st of 51 for opportunities through Libby Partners (5,400).
- Largest catalog: Download Destination (58 libraries).
Explore Other States
Only five states run their access mainly through Libby partnerships. In most other states, access to additional catalogs comes through reciprocal agreements, where you apply for a separate card at each library.
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.