What Are Partner Libraries in Libby? And How To Add Them.
Last Updated: July 2026
What Is a Partner Library on Libby?
A partner library is a library system or consortium that has officially teamed up with your home library to share access to their digital catalog through Libby. The key difference between a partner library and a reciprocal library card is that you don't need to apply for anything. You don't have to apply for a new card. You don't wait for approval. You literally add the partner library in Libby using the same card number that's already in your wallet.
That's why these are the best! You go from one catalog to two (or up to sixteen!) in about 30 seconds.
When you search your home library on ReciproCard, these show up in the "Use Your Current Card" section at the very top of your results. If you see anything there, stop what you're doing, follow these instructions, and go add them right now.
How Big Is This?
Bigger than most people realize. I've mapped out 1,385 partner libraries across 16 states that share official Libby partner agreements through 19 distinct partnership networks.
Some states have gone all-in on this. Michigan has 360 partner libraries. Massachusetts has 334. New York has 297.
Some states even have multiple partnerships. California and New York each have three partnerships.
Partner Libraries by State
Here's every state with Libby partner agreements that I've found and how many libraries participate in each:
Michigan
Nearly every public library in Michigan (96.5%) participates in a single statewide partnership — the largest in the country. A single Michigan library card can unlock access to a huge amount of Libby catalogs.
Massachusetts
At 98.8% coverage, Massachusetts has the highest participation rate of any state. Nearly every public library in the state is connected through one regional partnership.
New York
New York's partner agreements are regional, with three separate networks covering 130, 100, and 67 libraries respectively. Your results depend on which part of the state your home library is in.
Idaho
Idaho's statewide partnership covers nearly 89% of the state's libraries across 13 different catalogs. Also includes a cross-state connection with two Washington libraries.
South Dakota
Covers 92.5% of the state's public libraries, making it one of the highest participation rates in the country.
California
California has the most catalogs of any partner state. Three separate regional agreements cover Northern California (41 libraries across NorthNet, MARINet, and Peninsula systems), Southern California (14 libraries), and a smaller Central California partnership (2 libraries).
Minnesota
One regional partnership connecting Rochester Public Library, Southeastern Libraries Cooperating, and Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative.
Arizona
One regional partnership spanning 11 catalogs from Flagstaff to Yuma, covering about 64% of the state's libraries.
Pennsylvania
One network covering northwestern Pennsylvania across four shared catalogs: Crawford County, Erie County, Oil Creek, and Seneca District.
Texas
A regional partnership connecting six major library systems, each with their own catalog — including Harris County, Houston Public Library, and Bryan-College Station.
Connecticut
Florida
Nevada
Covers the Las Vegas metro area including Henderson and Clark County.
Missouri
Connects three St. Louis area systems: St. Louis County Library, St. Louis Public Library, and St. Charles City-County Library District.
Illinois
Connects Evanston Public Library and Gail Borden Public Library District.
Washington
A cross-state partnership — two Washington libraries (Asotin County and Pend Oreille County) participate in Idaho's statewide partnership, giving them access to Idaho's 13 Libby catalogs.
How to Add Partner Libraries in Libby
Once you've found a partner library in your ReciproCard results, here's how to add it. Remember, these will be found under the "Use Your Current Card" section. These instructions are a little different than adding your first library card or adding a non Libby Partner library so be sure to follow them step-by-step. Make sure you have your ReciproCard results open so you can see the name of each result.
- Open Libby and tap the Menu at the bottom of the screen
- Select Add Library under the "Your Libraries" section
- Search for the partner library you found on ReciproCard and select it (remember these are sometimes library names and sometimes consortiums. ReciproCard will give you the exact name to search)
- Tap Sign In With My Card
- A list of partner libraries will pop up — select your HOME library from that list
- Enter your home library card number to complete the authentication
One thing worth knowing: sometimes a partner is a single library system, and sometimes it's a consortium representing dozens of libraries at once. Your ReciproCard results will always show the correct name to search for in Libby, whether that's an individual library or a consortium, so you'll know exactly what to look for when you add it.
Repeat for each "Use Your Current Card" result and then that's it! You just stacked an entirely new catalog or possibly even more!
How Is This Different From Reciprocal Agreements?
It can be confusing and that's why I've broken up these results into different sections on ReciproCard.
Use Your Current Card: These are the Libby Partner libraries. You don't need a new application or card! Just log in directly on the Libby app using your current card. Use the instructions above.
Apply Online For a Card: We found a reciprocal agreement here! You need to apply for a new library card from this result but you can do it entirely online. Once you receive the new library card you can add it to Libby. Find instructions here.
Visit Branch to Apply: We found a reciprocal agreement here! You qualify for a free card, but this library requires you to visit in person to apply for the card. Once you grab the new library card you can add it to Libby. Find instructions here.
All are free. All add new catalogs to your Libby app. Partner libraries are just faster because there's no application step and you can use your current card to add them.
What If My State Isn't on the List?
If your library doesn't have any partner agreements, that doesn't mean you're out of luck. There are plenty of other ways to expand your Libby access for free:
Reciprocal agreements let you get free cards from other library systems based on where you live. I've verified thousands of these across the country. Search your home library on ReciproCard to find them.
Free Library Cards NOT Based on Where You Live like Books Unbanned give free digital cards to teens and young adults at major library systems. Check out our complete guide to free library cards for Libby for every option available.
And if you've exhausted all the free options, a paid non-resident card from a major system can add a massive new catalog for as little as $38/year.
Why Don't All States Have This?
Partner agreements require library systems to negotiate formal data-sharing arrangements with OverDrive (the company behind Libby). Not every state has a library consortium or governing body that coordinates this kind of thing. Some states have one giant shared catalog already (like New Hampshire, Vermont, Wisconsin and Montana), which means partner agreements aren't necessary because everyone already has access to the same collection.
The good news is these networks are growing and the community is helping identify more. I've added new partner agreements to the database multiple times in the past few months. If your state isn't on the list today, it might be in a few months. Subscribe to the ReciproCard newsletter and I'll let you know when new partnerships are confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I add every Partner library in the "Use Your Current Card" results? Yes! Every single library or consortium in the "Use Your Current Card" results will provide you with an additional catalog to access on Libby. Follow the step-by-step instructions above for each result.
How do I find partner libraries on Libby? If you're wondering how to find partner libraries on Libby, the easiest way is to search your home library on ReciproCard. Any partner libraries will show up in the "Use Your Current Card" section at the top of your results.
Do partner libraries have the same books as my home library? No and that's why adding them is so valuable. ReciproCard only shows you results that provide different catalogs than your home library. Different books, different audiobooks, different availability, hopefully shorter wait times.
Why do I have to select my home library when signing in to a partner? Libby needs to verify that your home library actually has a partnership with the library you're trying to access. When you select your home library from the dropdown, Libby checks the partnership and authenticates your card.