Lafayette Public Library will officially switch its digital collection lending platform from Libby by Overdrive to cloudLibrary by Bibliotheca starting on March 13.
For patrons, this will mean more titles to choose from, as well as shorter wait times. Other pluses include an easy-to-use app and a platform that is the best value for the library system.
Last year, 20 percent of LPL’s materials that were checked out came from its digital collection. By migrating to cloudLibrary, the Library will be able to better serve the community by offering more digital content.
The new platform will give patrons access to materials owned by other Louisiana libraries through cloudLink. Currently, cloudLink includes 34 other libraries with a pool of more than 250,000 shareable copies. That’s 150,000 more items than LPL has to offer now!
The move will also give patrons Comics Plus and NewsStand, which can all be accessed from the same cloudLibrary app. Comics Plus will provide patrons with over 25,000 digital comics, graphic novels, and manga. Through NewsStand, patrons can access over 7,500 digital magazines and newspapers. LPL’s digital collection will be bigger and better than ever!
The Bayouland E-Library Co-op, of which Lafayette Public Library is a member, made the decision to switch to cloudLibrary collectively after discussing the matter starting in early September of 2023. After months of discussion, the co-op found that cloudLibrary would be the most convenient and most cost-effective way to offer patrons high-quality digital content all under one app.
Patrons now have full access to the cloudLibrary app as of February 26. The app is free and available for Apple, Android devices, computers, Kindle Fire and other eReaders. The app can be found in the App store (iOS) or in Google Play (Android). Once the app is downloaded, patrons can simply log in once using their Lafayette Public Library card. Visit yourcloudlibrary.com<https://www.yourcloudlibrary.com/> to learn more.
Libby users will be able to place holds through February 29 and borrow titles through March 5.
Libby will be available for use until 11:59 pm on March 12. However, during the transition to cloudLibrary, no new titles will be purchased in Libby, and the amount of holds and loan periods per library card will be reduced. Titles that were purchased by the Library for the Libby app will be transferred to cloudLibrary on March 13.
Those who have been using Libby through the Lafayette Public Library should be aware that the service will be discontinued on March 13.
Please visit lafayettepubliclibary.org<http://lafayettepubliclibrary.org/>, and follow LPL on social media for up-to-date information on this transition.
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