5 Apps You Didn’t Know You Need
(Plus 3 to Maximize Your Library Benefits!)

With so many apps on the market, it’s hard to know which are worth having on your phone. Here are 5 apps you can download from the App Store or Google Play Store that are worth every byte of space they take:

  • Listen to free audiobooks with Librivox. You can stream or download hundreds of classic novels, plays, biographies, and collections of short works with Librivox. 
  • If you come across interesting articles, videos, or podcasts at moments when you cannot stop to appreciate them, try an app like Instapaper or Pocket to save them for later or read them offline. Tap the share icon, save it to Instapaper, and easily retrieve it later. 
  • Try Duolingo to learn the basics of a new language with courses in over 30 languages. The free version has ads and limits the number of tries you can use per day in your lessons, but if you use the app regularly, they offer rewards and occasional free trials of the premium version. 
  • Use your smartphone camera to identify wildlife in your area with the Seek app. Take a photo of a plant, insect, or animal, and the app will show you such information as taxonomy and seasonality. 
  • Listen to book summaries of popular nonfiction books on Blinkist. The free version allows you to listen to one book summary daily. 

Want more app tips? These completely free apps will help you get more with your library card:

  • Download the Beanstack app to participate in our Summer Reading Program. Track your reading in the app to earn tickets to enter for prize drawings this summer. Plus, you can get certified to use the equipment in the Creative Space.
  • With the Libby app by Overdrive, you can access our digital collection of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines. Students in the NPUSC can also use the Sora app by Overdrive with titles curated for kids. 
  • Instantly stream or download books, audiobooks, movies, TV, music, and comic books with Hoopla.