# New York Public Library (NYPL)

> Mobile access to New York Public Library catalog, services, and branch information. (iPhone/iPad app by The New York Public Library.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/new-york-public-library-nypl/id1474533999 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [The New York Public Library](https://appshunter.io/developer/433418209)
- Category: Books, Education
- Price: Free
- Rating: 2.60/5 from 111 App Store ratings · 78 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 14.0 · 11 MB
- Languages: Australian English, Amharic, Dutch, Filipino, Canadian French, German (Germany), Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean and 9 more
- Released: 2020-10-13
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/new-york-public-library-nypl/id1474533999/reviews.md

## What is New York Public Library (NYPL)?

Get the power of The New York Public Library, anytime, anywhere. With the NYPL app, you can access everything the Library has to offer from home or while you’re on the go. Search the catalog, request books for pickup, use your phone for self-checkout, renew your materials, and even pay fees. Plus, you can find your nearest library no matter where you are, and find upcoming programs at your local branch.

## Key features

- Search library catalog
- Request books for pickup
- Mobile self-checkout
- Renew borrowed materials
- Pay library fees
- Find nearest branches
- Discover upcoming programs

## Chart rankings

- #138 in Top Free · Book (US App Store)

## What do users think of New York Public Library (NYPL)?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 👍 Mobile checkout is great
- 👍 Self checkout is awesome
- 👍 Easy to reserve books
- 👍 Good for checking book availability
- 👍 App has potential
- 👍 Great graphics (mentioned once)
- 👍 Magazine search easy
- 👍 Events virtual accessible
- 👍 Library hours easy

**Cons**

- 🐛 Glitchy and buggy app
- 🐛 Far from intuitive
- 🐛 Poorly organized
- 🐛 Difficult to use
- 🐛 Losing functionality
- 🐛 Not optimized for iPads
- 🐛 Slow to load
- 🐛 Freezes often
- 🐛 Clunky and hard to use
- 🐛 Doesn't work on work WiFi
- 🐛 Loading spinner too long
- 🐛 Crashes constantly
- 🐛 Mobile checkout issues
- 🐛 Outdated UI/UX
- 🐛 Cannot pay fines in app
- 🐛 Doesn't integrate with Kindle
- 🐛 Doesn't deal with ebooks
- 🐛 Requires multiple apps for digital content

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App shows zero books checked out/on hold
- Search results don't show call numbers or availability
- App is blank
- App won't stay open after update
- Screen freezes when opening title page
- Takes forever to load book details and location
- Catalog searches return no results
- App won't accept credentials/barcode/password
- App crashes when selecting a book from search results
- Holds are not successfully placed
- App doesn't link all media types in search

**Most requested features**

- List function for saved searches
- Smoother visual design
- See all checked out items for all accounts without multiple steps
- Permanent default library setting
- Mobile checkout feature to work
- Reserve book to go to a branch feature to work
- Show all library branches in search results
- Add NYPL card to Apple Wallet
- Improve UI/UX for holds screen
- Allow paying fines and fees through the app
- Integrate eBook borrowing (e.g., Kindle)
- Consolidate all library information into one app

## Recent user reviews (10 of 78)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/new-york-public-library-nypl/id1474533999/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Surprisingly bad. Sadly.

*2026-08-24, version 2026.08.00*

I’m surprised with all the passionate, talented, and dedicated people that work for the NYPL, that this app was the best they could produce. Surely they have someone who teaches a class on end user interface or something similar. If not they have a book on it.

Allow us to select multiple format filters for one basic thing. Make it search, not catalog. Or change “catalog” to a browse/discovery option and add a prominent search function. No the current is not well designed or placed. It’s honestly very poor. Allow change of default library branch in app for those who’ve moved.

### 1/5 — False Advertising

*2026-08-18, version 2026.08.00*

Latest update of app claims that it now allows you to add your NYPL card to Apple Wallet 

BUT there’s still NO way to add your NYPL card to Apple Wallet 

Looked everywhere on app but functionality isn’t there

### 1/5 — New update is terrible

*2026-08-05, version 2026.07.00*

My main purpose for using the app is searching for books I want and placing a hold on them for checkout. With the new app I am no longer able to place holds on books. Why not?  And why would you update an app in this way?  The new app is virtually useless for me.

### 1/5 — New version is awful

*2026-07-31, version 2026.07.00*

The latest update is awful.  I assume they didn’t test it with any real users because it never would have been approved.  Please fix it 😫

### 3/5 — could be much better

*2026-07-27, version 2026.07.00*

quiet unfortunate that this app is so confusing and terribly designed. why can’t you see how many people are on hold for a book until you actually go and put it on hold?? new design is fine but why is the website UI totally different and better than this

### 1/5 — New update not good

*2026-07-23, version 2026.07.00*

Worked fine, new update now means as a family you have to switch between accounts instead of being able to see everything in one place.

### 1/5 — Hire a design studio

*2026-07-23, version 2026.07.00*

Please just hire a reputable design studio to redesign your app. I don’t understand how an “updated” version of the app could be worse and more frustrating than the previous. Truly at a loss for words.

### 1/5 — This new app update sucks

*2026-07-22, version 2026.07.00*

The latest app update, July of 2026, is a joke. The app was very user friendly before, now not so much. It shows available titles when you search, yet you cannot place holds on them. It used to be you searched a title, clicked it, then clicked the place hold button, and that was it. Now if you find a title that you can place a hold on, a rarity, it gives back an error message. Why would they update the app this way? Plus it looks worse too.

### 2/5 — Quite mediocre

*2026-07-19, version 2026.07.00*

I’ve been a customer of NYPL library services for nearly a year now, and I appreciate the variety of reading material available and have been able to enjoy a couple ebooks. However, I cannot get over how terrible their apps (own, Overdrive, and Libby) and their site are, right from the beginning. The fault isn’t even with the latest versions, they’ve been uniformly awful with any actions I try to execute from the very beginning of my time as a library member. I can’t find the availability of any of the books I’m looking for, cannot borrow, cannot see my checkouts, pretty much nothing.

If I could ask for help with a specific task, I would, but their online presence is messed up from A-Z. How can they be so mediocre and serve a great city like NYC?

### 1/5 — Just use the website on a browser

*2026-07-18, version 2026.07.00*

This is actually worse than just viewing the NYPL website in a browser. Why does this app even exist?

## Frequently asked questions about New York Public Library (NYPL)

### What can I do with the New York Public Library app?

The app allows you to search the library's catalog, request books for pickup at your preferred branch, and use your phone for self-checkout. You can also renew borrowed materials and pay any outstanding fees directly through the app.

### Is the New York Public Library app free to use?

Yes, the app is completely free to download and use. It provides access to all the services offered by the New York Public Library without any cost to the user.

### How do I find my nearest library branch?

The app features a function to locate your nearest library branch. Simply open the app, and it will help you find branches based on your current location, making it easy to visit in person.

### Can I discover events and programs through the app?

Yes, the app allows you to find out about upcoming programs and events happening at your local library branch. This is a great way to stay informed about community activities and educational opportunities.

### What devices is the New York Public Library app compatible with?

While specific compatibility details are not provided, public library apps are typically designed for both iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. Users can usually download it from their respective app stores.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2026.08.00 — 2026-08-13

-Introduces the ability to add your library card to your Apple Wallet
-Moves the barcode for the in-app library card to better accommodate desk mounted scanners
-Addresses bugs around holds appearing as suspendible or cancellable as appropriate
-Corrects a bug where items would not appear as eligible for a hold in some cases when accessed from your account
-Other bug fixes and performance improvements

### 2026.07.00 — 2026-07-15

Our app has a new look and new functionality to better serve our patrons!

### 1.0.18 — 2025-11-14

Bug fixes

### 1.0.17 — 2025-09-12

Bug fixes
Updated promotional messages for NYPL patrons

### 1.0.16 — 2025-07-01

Updated E-Resources

## Apps similar to New York Public Library (NYPL)

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Boundless](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boundless/id6449712082) | 4.4 (18,192) | Free | Books |
| [BookBub](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bookbub/id1030894438) | 4.7 (957) | Free | Books |
| [NetGalley Shelf](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/netgalley-shelf/id1499581600) | 2.1 (77) | Free | Books |
| [Little Free Library](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/little-free-library/id1555760218) | 3.5 (166) | Free | Books |
| [FanFiction.Net](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fanfictionnet/id1192753879) | 2.5 (854) | Free | Books |
| [BKLYN Library](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bklyn-library/id6714283658) | 4.1 (85) | Free | Books |

## More apps by The New York Public Library

- [Open eBooks](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/open-ebooks/id1033669250)
- [SimplyE](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplye/id1046583900)

All apps by The New York Public Library: https://appshunter.io/developer/433418209

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-26.*