Libby, the Library App, Epic, and BorrowBox Library are just a few of the best apps for classroom libraries on Android and iPhone. These apps allow students to access a wide variety of books, audiobooks, and other resources, all from the convenience of their own devices.
| App | Logo | Available On | Reviews | Downloads | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Libby, the Library App |  | Android, iOS | 4.8/5 | 13M+ | Free ebooks and audiobooks, Borrow with library card |
| 2. Epic |  | Android, iOS | 4.7/5 | 11M+ | 40,000+ books, audiobooks, videos, Anytime, anywhere access |
| 3. BorrowBox Library |  | Android, iOS | 4.7/5 | 2M+ | Instant borrowing, Automatic deletion, Curated content |
| 4. cloudLibrary |  | Android, iOS | 4.7/5 | 1M+ | Easy library card access, Manage multiple accounts |
| 5. Let's Read |  | Android, iOS | 4.7/5 | 548K+ | Free to read, No ads, Multilingual |
| 6. Teach Yourself Library |  | Android, iOS | 3.9/5 | 130K+ | Free audio resources, Access anywhere anytime, Syncs across devices |
| 7. CLZ Books |  | Android, iOS | 4.8/5 | 101K+ | Book collection cataloging, Barcode scanning, Online book database |
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1. Libby, the Library App
Free ebooks and audiobooks, Borrow instantly with library card
Cost: Libby, by OverDrive (Free)
In the realm of digital learning, "Libby, the Library App" emerges as an indispensable tool for classroom libraries. Seamlessly connecting students to a vast collection of ebooks and audiobooks from their local libraries, Libby empowers educators to cultivate a love of reading within their classrooms. With its intuitive interface and comprehensive catalog, the app grants students access to a world of literary treasures, nurturing their imaginations and fostering a lifelong passion for knowledge.
Libby's integration with multiple library cards expands the horizons of classroom libraries, offering students access to an unparalleled wealth of materials. The app's customizable playback features, including adjustable speeds and offline listening, cater to diverse learning styles and preferences. Moreover, the auto-return function eliminates the stress of late fees, allowing students to immerse themselves in their literary journeys without worry.
Download:
Application information:
| Downloads | Over 10 million downloads |
| Features | Borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines from your local library for free with a valid library card, download titles for offline reading, listen to audiobooks with adjustable playback speed, and customize your reading experience with adjustable font sizes and lighting. |
| Pros | Free, massive selection, easy to use, excellent audiobook features. |
| Cons | Requires a valid library card, borrowing limits apply, some libraries have limited digital collections, not all features are available for all titles. |
- Tags:
- Free ebooks and audiobooks
- Borrow instantly with library card
- Offline reading and streaming
✨ Read more: app for illustrating books
2. Epic
40,000+ books, audiobooks, videos, Read-to-me books and audiobooks
Cost: Epic Free Plan (Free), Epic Unlimited ($9.99/month)
Epic! is an award-winning digital reading platform that provides unlimited access to a vast library of high-quality children's books, audiobooks, and videos. The app's user-friendly interface and engaging features make it a popular choice for classroom libraries. Teachers appreciate the seamless playback of books, audiobooks, and videos, as well as the wide selection of materials available in Spanish.
Epic! also encourages children to develop a love of reading through interactive features such as personalized reading recommendations, fun challenges, and rewards. The app's ability to track students' reading progress and provide educators with data-driven insights makes it a valuable tool for supporting literacy instruction. With its ease of use, engaging content, and commitment to fostering a love of reading, Epic! is an excellent choice for any classroom library.
Download:
Application information:
| Information About | Epic Application |
| Downloads | Over 10 million downloads |
| Features | Epic! offers a vast digital library for kids 12 and under, with 40,000+ books, audiobooks, learning videos, and quizzes, fostering a fun love for reading and learning. |
| Pros | Massive library, personalized learning, engaging content, offline access |
| Cons | Limited free version, requires subscription, potential for excessive screen time, some content may not be as engaging |
- Tags:
- Massive library
- Interactive reading
- Read-to-me feature
✨ Read more: app for book buying
3. BorrowBox Library
Instant ebook and audiobook borrowing, Access to thousands of titles
Cost: BorrowBox Library Basic (Free), BorrowBox Library Premium (Paid)
As a teacher, managing a classroom library can be a daunting task. However, with BorrowBox Library app, you can easily digitize your library, making it accessible to students anytime, anywhere. This user-friendly app allows you to search for books, borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks, and create personalized reading lists for your students.
The app's intuitive interface provides a seamless reading experience. Despite some minor search speed issues, the app offers a wide selection of titles to cater to diverse interests. While the audiobook playback speeds could be more granular, the app still provides a comfortable listening experience. Its integration with external devices, such as Garmin watches and Android Auto, enhances its functionality for students on the go. Additionally, the ability to skip back small increments and the incorporation of gesture controls would further improve the user experience.
Download:
Application information:
| Downloads | Over 1 Million |
| Features | Browse and borrow audiobooks, eBooks, and digital magazines from your local library, download titles for offline access, and customize your reading experience. |
| Pros | User-friendly, large selection, offline access. |
| Cons | Requires a valid library membership, limited availability in some regions, can be slow to download. |
- Tags:
- Easy to use
- Great Selection
- Free to borrow
✨ Read more: app for learning all subjects
4. cloudLibrary
Easy book checkout, Personalized recommendations, Digital and physical library
Cost: cloudLibrary Basic (Free), cloudLibrary Plus (Paid)
The cloudLibrary app is a great way to access a wide variety of eBooks and eAudiobooks from your local library. The app has a sleek and user-friendly interface, making it easy to find and borrow the titles you want. You can also create custom collections, set reading goals, and track your progress.
While the cloudLibrary app is a great resource for accessing library materials, it is not without its drawbacks. Some users have reported that the app can be glitchy and does not always sync well between devices. Additionally, the app's recommendations can be generic and the availability of books can be unpredictable.
Download:
Application information:
| Downloads | Over 1 million downloads |
| Features | Borrow eBooks and audiobooks, place holds, customize reading settings, discover new titles through curated lists, and manage your library account. |
| Pros | User-friendly interface, vast selection, convenient access. |
| Cons | Limited to library membership, availability varies by location, some features require internet connection. |
- Tags:
- Easy library card access
- Manage Multiple Accounts
- Free ebooks and audiobooks
✨ Read more: app for green reading
5. Let's Read
Free children's books, Multilingual storybooks, Offline reading
Cost: Let's Read App (Free) (Free), Let's Read App (Paid) (Paid)
Let's Read is a fantastic app for classroom libraries, offering a diverse collection of children's storybooks from around the world. Its offline reading feature allows for convenient access anytime, anywhere, ensuring uninterrupted learning experiences. The app's easy-to-use interface and charming illustrations make it engaging for children of all ages.
Despite minor translation issues in some languages, Let's Read provides a valuable resource for educators and students to explore different cultures and expand their literary horizons. Its diverse collection of stories fosters a love of reading and promotes global understanding. The app is highly recommended for classroom libraries, offering an immersive and educational literary experience.
Download:
Application information:
| Downloads | Over 500,000 downloads |
| Features | Offers a library of free digital storybooks in multiple languages, audio narration, offline reading, and interactive activities for kids. |
| Pros | Free, educational, engaging, and accessible offline. |
| Cons | Limited book selection compared to paid apps, occasional bugs reported, and some features require internet access. |
- Tags:
- Free children's books
- Multilingual storybooks
- Offline reading available
✨ Read more: app for dyslexia
6. Teach Yourself Library
Free audio resources, Learning resources, Access anywhere
Cost: Free Version (Free), Premium Version ($4.99)
Teach Yourself Library app has shortcomings in terms of its functionality. For instance, it lacks a repeat button for audio tracks, despite the app recommending repetitive listening. Additionally, the app doesn't seamlessly allow users to re-download chapters or books after a period of inactivity, leading to the inconvenience of having to reinstall the app.
Despite these drawbacks, the app offers valuable content, particularly for language learners. The lessons are well-structured and complement the Teach Yourself series books. However, the lack of audio availability for older books and the absence of a corresponding book for the newer audio version create hurdles for learners who rely on both components.
Download:
Application information:
| Downloads | 100,000+ Downloads |
| Features | Browse and download from a vast library of Teach Yourself ebooks and audiobooks, covering a wide range of topics. |
| Pros | User-friendly interface, extensive library, offline access to downloaded books. |
| Cons | Subscription-based model with limited free content, occasional syncing issues reported by some users. |
- Tags:
- Free audio resources
- Accompanying learning materials
- Access anywhere anytime
7. CLZ Books
Easy book cataloging, ISBN barcode scanning, Automatic book details
Cost: CLZ Books (Free to try), CLZ Books [annual subscription] ($14.99 per year)
CLZ Books for the classroom library is an invaluable tool for managing and organizing your collection. With its intuitive scanning feature, you can quickly and easily catalog books by scanning their ISBN barcodes. The user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to sort and customize your collection to meet your specific needs.
As an avid book collector notes, CLZ Books is one of the best investments you can make for your library. It not only streamlines inventory management but also helps prevent duplicate purchases, saving you money in the long run. Despite some minor drawbacks, such as the lack of a downloadable collection in user-friendly formats, the app's ongoing improvements and exceptional syncing capabilities make it a must-have for any classroom library.
Download:
Application information:
| Downloads | Over 100,000 downloads |
| Features | Catalog your book collection quickly by scanning ISBNs, searching by title/author, or manually adding details; manage loans, custom fields, and view comprehensive book details. |
| Pros | Fast, user-friendly, with comprehensive cataloging and collection management tools. |
| Cons | Requires a subscription after the trial period; some advanced features are only available in the desktop version; occasional syncing issues reported. |
- Tags:
- Barcode ISBN scanner
- Automatic book details
- Unlimited book storage
8. Library For All
5000+ free books, Offline reading, Diverse collection
Cost: Library For All - Free Version (Free), Library For All - Premium Subscription (Varies by region and subscription length)
"Library For All" is an excellent app for classroom libraries, offering a wide selection of books for early readers. It's incredibly easy to use, making it a great choice for teachers and students alike. With its vast collection of engaging titles, this app is sure to capture the interest of any young reader. Plus, it's completely free to download and use, making it a great value for schools and families on a budget.
This app is a fantastic resource for educators, providing them with a convenient and accessible way to provide their students with a diverse range of reading materials. The app's user-friendly interface makes it simple for teachers to assign books to their students, track their progress, and monitor their reading habits. With its ability to cater to different reading levels and interests, "Library For All" is an invaluable tool for creating a dynamic and engaging classroom library.
Download:
Application information:
| Downloads | Over 10,000 downloads |
| Features | Offers a curated collection of digital books in multiple languages, reading support features, and offline access. |
| Pros | Promotes literacy, diverse books, easy to use, accessible offline. |
| Cons | Limited book selection compared to other platforms, requires storage space on device. |
- Tags:
- Free to use
- Diverse library
- Engaging content
9. Classroom Library
Barcode scanning, Student QRCode, Data usage limited
Cost: Classroom Library Basic (Free), Classroom Library Pro ($4.99)
Classroom Library is an indispensable tool for classroom teachers, making it easier than ever to manage their classroom libraries. With its intuitive barcode scanning feature, teachers can quickly and easily add books to their library, track checkouts, and monitor student reading habits. The app also provides valuable insights into student reading preferences, helping teachers tailor their instruction to meet the needs of their students.
Classroom Library is a lifesaver for teachers who are tired of spending countless hours manually tracking their classroom libraries. With its user-friendly interface and powerful features, Classroom Library makes it easy to keep track of every book in your library, ensuring that your students always have access to the resources they need to succeed.
Download:
Application information:
| Downloads | 410+ |
| Features | Scan book barcodes to instantly add to your digital library, track student borrowing, and analyze reading trends. |
| Pros | Easy to use, saves time, encourages reading engagement. |
| Cons | Limited functionality beyond book management, requires consistent internet access, potential privacy concerns with student data. |
- Tags:
- QR code based
- Easy to use
- Manages students and books