The library has been a very important staple in my life, ever since I was a little girl. I have so many fond memories of my parents taking me to different events at my local library as a child, participating in their summer reading program, and always coming home with stacks of new books in tow. Through the years, I continued to find solace in my local library. I spent so many high school evenings wandering the aisles of the library, relishing in the quiet calmness while I hunted for my next read. I admittedly have always used reading as an escape (this rings true to this day), so the library always felt like a sacred place to me. No matter what was troubling me, I always knew a trip to the library could help calm my nerves, ease my mind, and provide me with a new book to get lost in.

Once I enrolled in college, my trips to the library stopped because I barely had any time to breathe, let alone read for pleasure. Since graduating, I have fully thrust myself back into my love of reading, and now I’m absolutely ravenous when it comes to books. However, I have a very extensive physical library of my own. I currently have almost 300 books crammed into the bookshelves in my apartment, and there are about 80 of those books I still haven’t read yet. Becoming stressed out by the size of my ever-growing physical TBR and the fact that I don’t have much room for new books, I began utilizing the library in the town where I currently live to avoid buying more books. I often would stop in after work to see if they had a specific book I was interested in and would leave with a whole stack of books in my arms (book worms, you know this experience all too well). While I was happy to have access to different books I wanted to read, I then began to stress out about neglecting my physical TBR I had at home in pursuit of the new exciting options at my library.

I had always heard of Libby, which is a service that gives you access to thousands of audiobooks and e-books through your local library. I already have a Kindle Unlimited subscription, so I didn’t see the need to utilize the e-book catalog. I also never used to listen to audiobooks, so while I was appreciative of the opportunities Libby provides for readers, I never bothered checking it out myself.

All of that changed thanks to Britney Spears. No, I’m 100% serious. Recently, Spotify rolled out a new feature where members with a Premium subscription can listen to 15 hours of audiobooks per month. I saw Britney Spears’ much-talked-about memoir The Woman in Me was available as an audiobook on Spotify, and though I had never really attempted to listen to audiobooks before, my curiosity in her story prompted me to press play. I devoured her book in one day and realized that listening to an audiobook is essentially the same as listening to a podcast, which I spend an unreasonable amount of time doing. However, 15 hours per month does not get you far; this is averaging about a book and a half per month. I am a voracious reader, and I knew I needed access to more audiobooks. Thus, I finally decided to sign up for Libby.

All you need to sign up for Libby is to have a library card with a library system that is partnered with the program. Signing in with your library card number grants you access to a plethora of audiobooks and e-books! What’s even cooler is that you can access the catalogs of multiple library systems, so if your local library system doesn’t have a lot of variety, you can sign up for a card in another town or county and can access the catalogs of both systems! My county did not have much to offer in terms of horror, true crime, or transgressive fiction. In hopes of expanding my options, I did some research to find other libraries where I could get a card even if I lived outside of their jurisdiction. For my Pennsylvania friends, Free Library of Philadelphia allows you to sign up for their library card online as long as you can prove you live in the state. Doing so GREATLY expanded my options…I’m talking thousands of books at my fingertips. I’m sure there are other library systems that allow members out of their jurisdictions to sign up for a card, so even if you’re worried that your library system will have slim pickings, there’s still a chance you could have access to a larger catalog!

I’ve begun utilizing both the audiobooks and e-books available to me through the Philadelphia library and my county library. I now have access to so many books I’ve wanted to read for so long, and that makes my heart so happy! While it may seem like I’m trying to endorse Libby, I swear I do not have a sponsorship from them (even though that would be super cool). I just discovered a really amazing resource and wanted to share it for anyone else looking to expand their reading horizons! Not only am I devouring books I’ve wanted to read for so long, but I am still supporting my local library, which is incredibly important to do in this day and age. Though “going to the library” may look a little different for me now, the same magic and love is still there. I will always be grateful for the library and the comfort it has brought me through the years.

I also will always be grateful to Britney Spears for inspiring me to finally start listening to audiobooks.