Go Mobile with the Idea Exchange App

If you want to browse the collections, place holds, and manage your library account on a mobile device, Idea Exchange has an app for that!

The new app offers convenient on-the-go access to searching library collections, placing holds, tracking your borrowing, viewing our location hours and services, and more. Make your Idea Exchange experience more seamless and accessible every day, wherever you go.

Fantastic new features

• Customize your app’s home screen to create a personalized library experience based your interests and needs
• Families can manage multiple cards easily on the same device. Perfect for parents and caregivers placing holds on behalf of loved ones.
• Keep a digital library card on your device for easy check-outs even when you leave your wallet at home.
• See a book at your local bookstore and want to see if it’s in Idea Exchange collections? You can scan the ISBN or UPC barcode of a title with your phone and the app will search for an equivalent title at Idea Exchange. It feels like magic!

Downloading the app

You can download the new Idea Exchange app by clicking on the iOS or Android app icons on our website footer or using these links:

The Idea Exchange/Cambridge Public Library app for iOS on the Apple App Store (NOTE: If you are accessing this link through a Meta app (Facebook or Instagram), please select and hold the link, you can then access the App Store using the Open Link option from the menu in the bottom left.)

The Idea Exchange/Cambridge Public Library app for Android on the Google Play Store 

We've also created a tutorial on how to download and get started with the app.

Logging in

Once the app is downloaded, you will see a purple and chartreuse icon with the label, Cambridge PL. Click on the icon to open the app. 

It will prompt you to log in for the first time by typing or scanning in your library card barcode, then entering your four-digit PIN (as a default, this is usually the last four digits of your phone number, unless you have chosen to change it).

Once you’re logged in, start exploring your app experience and connecting with your favourite Idea Exchange collections and services.