Best Chicago Public Library Apps

250+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.1 avg rating
20 free apps
Updated November 2026

Looking for free chicago public library apps? 20 of our 250+ tracked titles are free to download β€” no subscription, no trial. The rest are premium picks worth paying for.

Compare top Chicago Public Library Apps (November 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Chicago Public LibraryChicago Public LibraryFree3.5β˜… (64)NoNoOct 2026
2Libby, the library appLibby, the library appFree4.9β˜… (4.6M)NoNoNov 2026
3Hoopla: Your Library AnywhereHoopla: Your Library AnywhereFree4.8β˜… (1.4M)NoNoNov 2026
4Wichita Public LibraryWichita Public LibraryFree5.0β˜… (2)NoNoOct 2026
5Evanston Public LibraryEvanston Public LibraryFree4.0β˜… (3)NoNoMay 2026
6St. Charles Public LibrarySt. Charles Public LibraryFree4.0β˜… (5)NoNoOct 2026
7Kansas City Public LibraryKansas City Public LibraryFree3.5β˜… (8)NoNoOct 2026
8Park Ridge Public LibraryPark Ridge Public LibraryFreeβ€”NoNoMay 2026

Top Picks for Chicago Public Library

Chicago Public Library#1

Chicago Public Library by City of Chicago

Editor's Choice
πŸ“š Books
3.5😐(64 ratings)
Free
Chicago Public Library screenshot 1
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Manage your library account, search the catalog, and discover new titles. Track borrowed items, place holds, and find events. Use your digital library card for in-person checkouts.

What We Love

  • πŸ‘ Intuitive and helpful app
  • πŸ“š Love the library and audiobook features
  • ✨ Pretty good app for a government agency
  • βœ… Easy to reserve books and see waitlist
  • πŸš€ Seamless public library experience
  • 🌟 Awesome redesign, easier to use
  • πŸ‘ Love the new app design
  • βœ… Super useful for tracking checkouts
  • πŸ‘ Fantastic app, a must-have
  • βœ… Awesome app, tremendous improvement
  • βœ… App is awesome

Room to Improve

  • πŸ› Constantly logging out
  • πŸ› Cannot log back in
  • πŸ› App not opening
  • πŸ› Takes user out of audiobook browser
  • πŸ› Confusing ebook download process
  • πŸ› Lacks library card in Apple Wallet
  • πŸ› App not updated for newer iPhones
  • πŸ› Clunky interface on iPad
  • πŸ› Slow to respond on iPad
  • πŸ› Missing availability by branch location
  • πŸ› Does not save username
  • πŸ› Missing call numbers and locations
  • πŸ› No alerts for due/overdue items or holds
  • πŸ› Downgrade in user experience
  • πŸ› On order and new releases no longer available
  • πŸ› Missing exact location of desired book
  • πŸ› No digital card feature
  • πŸ› Crashes when opening 'for later'
  • πŸ› Incoherent layout and limited functionality
  • πŸ› Does not refine search
  • πŸ› Reversed accept/deny buttons
  • πŸ› App crashes on login
Libby, the library app#2

Libby, the library app by OverDrive, Inc.

Library audiobooks and ebooks
Strong Contender
πŸ“š Books
4.9😊(4.6M ratings)
Free
#2in Books
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Access your local library's digital collection of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines for free. Read or listen on your phone or tablet, download titles for offline use, and personalize your reading experience with customizable settings.

What We Love

  • πŸ“š Extensive library of books and audiobooks
  • πŸ” Convenient search and browsing features
  • πŸ”– Easy to manage holds and returns
  • πŸ”„ Seamless syncing across devices
  • πŸ•°οΈ Automatic returns to avoid late fees
  • 🎧 High-quality audiobook experience
  • πŸ†“ Free access with library card

Room to Improve

  • πŸ•°οΈ Long wait times for popular titles
  • πŸ” Confusing search and filtering options
  • 🀯 Buggy and unstable performance
  • πŸ”’ Lack of offline reading/listening
  • πŸ“š Limited selection in some genres
  • πŸ”™ Unintuitive navigation and UI
Hoopla: Your Library Anywhere#3

Hoopla: Your Library Anywhere by Midwest Tape, LLC

Books, Movies, Music, and More
Worth Considering
πŸ“š Books
4.8😊(1.4M ratings)
Free
#5in Books
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Access a vast digital library of books, comics, movies, music, and more, all within a single application. Stream or download content for free with your library card, enjoying an ad-free experience and features like offline listening and dark mode.

What We Love

  • πŸš€ Excellent selection of content
  • πŸ‘ Easy to use app
  • πŸš€ Convenient access to books, audiobooks, movies, and more
  • πŸ‘ Great resource for reading/listening
  • πŸ‘ Helpful for dyslexic users

Room to Improve

  • πŸ› Glitchy, crashes frequently
  • πŸ” Limited search and browsing functionality
  • πŸ” Inconsistent syncing across devices
  • πŸ” Unintuitive navigation
  • πŸ” Missing key features like previewing audiobooks

More Chicago Public Library apps to explore

FAQ about Chicago Public Library

What are the best chicago public library apps for iPhone?
Chicago Public Library tops our chicago public library apps ranking as of November 2026, with a 3.5-star average from 64 App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes β€” 20 of the top chicago public library apps we rank are free to download, including Chicago Public Library and Libby, the library app.
Chicago Public Library has no ads and has no in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of November 2026.
We track 250+ chicago public library apps on the iOS App Store as of November 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.