The ReciproCard Report: West Virginia
Overview
Based on my research and input from ReciproCard users, West Virginia has agreements, but they're not as prevalent as some other states.
Libraries and Libby Participation
Library systems: 95
On Libby: 54 (56.8%)
Not on Libby: 41
The ones not on Libby: Alderson Public Library, Belington Public Library, Buffalo Creek Memorial Library, Burnsville Public Library, Calhoun County Public Library, Chapmanville Public Library, Charles W. Gibson Public Library, Craigsville Public Library, Dora Bee Woodyard Memorial Library, Elkins-Randolph Public Library, Five Rivers Public Library, Gassaway Public Library, plus 29 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
West Virginia has just a handful of shared digital catalogs, 3 in total. Most libraries are grouped into a small number of collections, so a second card from the same group won't add anything. But there are a few other catalogs here, and reaching one of them means a genuinely fresh set of books.
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.
Catalogs
| Catalog | Library systems |
|---|---|
| West Virginia Reads | 29 |
| Listen Eastern West Virginia | 13 |
| West Virginia Downloadable Entertainment Library Initiative | 12 |
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: 4
Through agreements: 4
I've confirmed 4 new card opportunities across the state. They cover 4 of West Virginia's 54 Libby libraries, which is 7.4%. So roughly 92.6% 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 West Virginia doesn't have many that provide access to Libby.
Across State Lines
West Virginia reaches into Ohio (2), Virginia (2), 4 agreements in total. A card from across the border is a completely separate collection, so if you live near the line it's worth checking.
How West Virginia Compares
- Tied for 27th of 51 for number of library systems (95).
- Tied for 38th of 51 for separate Libby catalogs (3).
- Tied for 36th of 51 for new card opportunities (4).
- Largest catalog: West Virginia Reads (29 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.