A couple upcoming changes to the Libby app. I don’t believe these changes will be incredibly disruptive, but wanted to make you aware of changes.
* Libby will prompt users when borrowing, placing a hold, or tagging an item different from their preferred language.
* Android 7.1.1 will be earliest supported OS for both Libby and Kanopy effective April 15. OS 7.1.0 accounts for 1.5% of all OverDrive users
More detail about these two changes are below:
Based on partner and user feedback, Libby’s latest update introduces a prompt to users when they borrow, place a hold, or add a Notify Me tag to a title in a language different from the one they have set as their app preference.
The goal of this update is to ensure users are interacting with the titles they are most interested in, reducing instances of accidentally borrowing or requesting books in a language they aren’t familiar with. This is especially helpful when a title’s language may not be clear from the cover image.
If the user selects “Yes, I Can Read It” from the prompt, Libby will help them complete the action they were taking. Libby then remembers that the user speaks this language for 90 days. This timer refreshes every time a user borrows, place a holds, or tags a title in that language.
If the user doesn’t want the title in that language, Libby will try to find it in the languages the user speaks based on app preferences and past language confirmation prompts.
After April 15, users with devices running Android OS 7.1.0 or earlier will be required to update their operating system or switch to another supported device to continue using OverDrive services.
Our analytics show that usage on Android OS 7.1.0 and earlier has been declining and accounts for approximately 1.5% of all OverDrive users, with Libby users being the most impacted. Note that Google has also discontinued support for these earlier versions of the Android OS.
User messaging
Starting the week of March 25, impacted Libby users will see a message to update their OS or switch to another supported device to continue using the app.