How to Make Your Library Card Your Passport for Free Audiobook Listening — And So Much More

In the current US economy, where budgeting for the day-to-day can seem like an impossible task, libraries remain pillars of community literacy support. Nationwide, branches provide free access to books in a variety of formats in addition to workspace and internet, ESL and citizenship classes, and practical and cultural learning opportunities.

But many remain unaware that libraries can offer so much at no cost to the public through a simple library card — particularly when it comes to audiobooks. For many of us fed information pushed through social media algorithms, the local library can often get overlooked since flashy ads for audiobook subscriptions (that can add up to big bucks over time) are placed in front of our eyeballs on the big and small screens.

“Libraries are competing with huge conglomerates who have a lot of advertising power,” shares Becca Starr, literature and language librarian at the Portland Public Library in Portland, Maine. “Sometimes it feels like we’ve got a bullhorn, and they’ve got a foghorn. I love when I can surprise and delight a patron with a new-to-them resource, but it often means they must come through our doors first.”

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While Libby and Hoopla lending apps have been historically popular choices for audiobooks, ebooks, and other digital media, Starr says their branch utilizes CloudLibrary, which offers a similar platform and user experience.

“Our usage was slow and steady when we began offering CloudLibrary, but it really exploded during COVID, and the numbers have stayed high since then,” says Starr. “Interestingly, audiobook usage remains higher than ebook usage, which appears to be a universal trend.”

The perks of free audiobooks cannot be overstated. According to ConsumerAffairs, as of December 2024, of the 98 percent of Americans who own a mobile phone, 91 percent own a smartphone. When virtually everyone you meet has a tiny computer in their back pocket, being able to access one’s favorite literature on the go with a few clicks at no cost is compelling.

As a full-time content developer, I spend much of my time in front of screens as a professional necessity. Combined with the responsibilities of full-time parenting an energetic six-year-old, kicking back at the end of the day and paging through the latest best-selling paperback is not realistic in my particular season of life. I am lucky if I get through my favorite magazine before the next issue arrives! Throwing on a good mystery, memoir, or self-help manual narrated by my favorite voice actors and authors while doing housework or mommy taxiing always feels like a luxury while also increasing mental well-being.

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But how do libraries compete with big corporations to offer patrons the best digital selection possible? The answer to that, Starr admits, is complicated.

“The items in our CloudLibrary collection are purchased individually . . . . We don’t purchase the item itself — as we would with a physical book — but we can only purchase a license to the item,” explains Starr. “Most of these licenses are much more expensive than its physical counterparts and expire after a certain date or number of checkouts. This means we make really tough decisions when trying to maintain a balanced collection.”

But there’s strength in numbers. Thanks to CloudLibrary being owned by Maine State Library, individual collections can be made available at other branches. My local Houston Public Library (HPL) utilizes Libby, and if a certain audiobook is not available to borrow, there is a “Notify Me” function where the patron can “tag” the title to be alerted if it becomes available. Libby then anonymously shares the interest in the title with the library branches connected to your library card, which can help guide staff in curating digital collections.

I can also use my HPL card on Libby to access audiobooks and other media at the nearby Harris County Public Library, which gives me a one-stop shop for a greater variety of options. If you do not have a library card, most branches have a helpful how-to on their website for what you’ll need to get started — typically a valid photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport and proof of address.

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Starr adds, “We still purchase books on CD, but our collection is much smaller than it used to be. I also like to tell people about the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled; every state has its own outpost, and it offers a huge variety of audio and braille options to those who qualify.”

Libraries often stay on top of the latest releases and best-selling titles to best serve their patrons. AudioFile Magazine provides a plethora of current audiobook recommendations and reviews thanks to a dedicated team of reviewers from all over the nation and beyond.

If the current seasonal shift is inspiring you to do some spring cleaning, see if some of those hardcover and paperback books collecting dust on the shelf you haven’t gotten around to cracking the spine on are available in audiobook format through your local library. If you like the audiobook edition better, donate or regift those books and free up some space! Happy listening!

BY ELIZABETH ELLIS

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