Borrow recreational e-books

Libby is an app, provided by Library Services, for accessing e-books and audiobooks on your mobile device. You can access Libby either via the Libby website, or by downloading the Libby app, and logging in with your NHS OpenAthens account.

There are hundreds of titles available in our collection, with more being added all the time – these include best sellers, prize-winning fiction, and books on health and wellbeing.

Libby FAQ

Who can use Libby?

Libby is only available to staff from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Foundation NHS Trust and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. If you are an NHS member of staff not employed by either of those organisations, you may be able to access Libby via your local public library.

How do I login to Libby via the app?

Once you've downloaded the app, you will need to select the right library and use your NHS OpenAthens account to sign in. We've put together a short video that will take you through the steps to login.

How many books can I borrow?

You can borrow up to 5 items for 14 days.

Can I renew my books?

After 14 days the loan will expire, however, if an item is not required by another user, you can renew it.

Can I return my books early?

Yes. You can return items early.

What if the book I want is on loan?

If another user has borrowed the book you want, you can place a hold on it and Libby will notify you when it is available. For very popular items we will sometimes buy an additional copy to reduce waiting times.

What if Libby does not have the book I want?

If you search for a book and Libby shows a result, but it is not available immediately through our collection, you can request the book for purchase by clicking ‘Notify Me’ on the website or app. 

If you receive no relevant results when searching for a title then it is likely that Libby does not have this book. You can search for the book in our library collection using Library Search. Here you will find all our print and e-books with details of how to access them.

Libby is focused on recreational reading and books related to wellbeing. If you are looking for a textbook or an academic book, you should check Library Search.

Can I recommend books for inclusion on Libby?

Yes. Go to our recommendations form to send us your requests and recommendations for new titles for the collection.