Libby app offers free access to works by ten Catholic saints
Public libraries partner with the digital lending platform to provide patrons with e-books and audiobooks from major figures in Christian history.
By Nikolai Patterson ·
The Libby app now provides free digital access to the writings of ten Catholic saints for users who hold a valid library card. The platform partners with public libraries to offer e-books and audiobooks that patrons can borrow for their phones, tablets, or computers. This service allows readers to access spiritual classics without purchasing physical copies.
The collection includes texts from historical figures spanning several centuries. St. Benedict of Nursia is represented by The Rule of St. Benedict. St. Bernard of Clairvaux appears with Life of St. Malachy of Armagh and On Loving God. St. Bonaventure is listed with four titles, including Holiness of Life and The Life of Saint Francis of Assisi. St. Catherine of Siena is available through The Dialogue of Saint Catherine of Siena.
Other authors in the list include St. Francis de Sales, whose works include Introduction to the Devout Life and Treatise on the Love of God. St. Ignatius of Loyola is represented by The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and The Autobiography of St. Ignatius. Blessed Raymond of Capua is listed for The Life of St. Catherine of Siena. St. Justin Martyr appears with The First Apology of St. Justin Martyr.
The final two authors are St. Teresa of Avila, who wrote Interior Castle, and St. Thomas More. The collection for More includes Utopia and A Dialogue of Comfort against Tribulation. These titles are part of a curated digital catalog managed by individual libraries.
Availability varies because each library curates its own list of available books. Some titles may have waitlists or may not be present in every branch's collection. Most libraries allow patrons to recommend specific titles for purchase if a book is unavailable. This process enables readers to request works that catch their interest for future inclusion in the digital library.
The Libby app serves as a distribution channel for these digital files. Users can search for the specific titles associated with the ten saints listed. The partnership between public libraries and the app provides a cost-free method for accessing these historical texts on standard consumer devices.
