Your library card reaches more books than you think.
BorrowBell searches all your library cards and their partner libraries at once, and shows the fastest way to borrow each ebook and audiobook. When every copy has a wait, we ring you when it's ready.
- On the shelf now Huntington Beach Public LibraryPartner of Riverside · borrow as a visitorBorrow in Libby ↗
- ~3 weeks Riverside Public LibraryYour card · 4 people per copy
- ~9 weeks Your other card11 people per copy
A Riverside card gets you 2.4× more books you can borrow today.
Riverside Public Library has 17 partner libraries whose digital collections its cardholders can borrow from as visitors. Most people never search them.
How it works
- 1
Add your libraries
Pick your home library and any other cards you have. We add their partner libraries for you. No card number needed.
- 2
Search once
Every ebook and audiobook comes back ranked by how soon you can get it: on the shelf now first, then the shortest wait.
- 3
Borrow, or wait for the bell
Borrow the fastest copy in Libby. If every copy has a wait, set a bell and we’ll tell you when it’s ready.
Ring when it's ready.
Set your limit, say under two weeks, and BorrowBell watches every library you can borrow from. When any of them can lend it within your limit, you get one email. Borrow it in Libby, and that's it.
A copy is on the shelf now at Huntington Beach Public Library, one of your Riverside card's partners. Visitors can't place holds, so it's first come, first served.
Sample alert emailWaitlist members get these first.
Lists and reviews
A want-to-read list that knows what’s on the shelf today, and notes from readers who use your libraries.
A librarian for this week
“If you liked it for the pacing, try this one.” Recommendations limited to books you can actually borrow this week.
Free to search, always
Libraries are free. Finding books in them should be too.
We never touch your books
No files, no DRM. Borrowing and reading stay in Libby.
No card number to search
You tell us which libraries, not your card or PIN.
Library first, not shopping
A “buy” link appears only when no library can lend it soon.
Questions
Is this Libby?
No. BorrowBell is an independent search tool. When you find a book, we send you to Libby to borrow and read it. We’re not affiliated with OverDrive.
Is it free?
Searching is free and always will be. Everyone gets a bell. Optional extras, like more bells and the librarian, may come later.
Which libraries do you cover?
Right now: Riverside Public Library and its 17 partner libraries in Southern California, plus Chicago Public Library. Add your library on the waitlist and we’ll load it.
Do you need my card number?
No. To search or set a bell, you only tell us which libraries you have cards for.
How does the bell work?
We check your libraries’ availability regularly. When a copy you can borrow is ready within your limit, we send one email. We can’t hold the copy for you, so borrow it soon.
How do partner libraries work?
Some libraries let each other’s cardholders borrow from their digital collections as visitors. Visitors can borrow copies that are free right now but can’t place holds, so we only show a partner copy when one is on the shelf.
Tell us your library. We'll ring when it's live.
We load libraries in the order the waitlist asks for them. You'll get one email when yours is ready, and nothing else.