07/22/2026
Libraries are proud to offer eBooks and audiobooks through Libby, but the system behind digital books isn't always as simple as it seems.
While a physical book can stay on our shelves for years, many digital titles cost libraries several times more than the consumer price and often disappear after a set amount of time or number of checkouts. That means every hold list and every renewal comes with a real cost to libraries.
The next time you see a long wait time on Libby, know that libraries everywhere are doing their best to stretch limited budgets and keep your favorite books available. The images below give a glimpse into how digital lending works behind the scenes.