Record Number of Libraries Surpassed One Million Digital Lends in 2022

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From Publisher’s Weekly:

Leading digital library platform OverDrive this week reported a record-setting 129 library systems surpassed one million digital checkouts in 2022, surpassing the 121 library systems that hit the mark in 2021. In a release, OverDrive officials said 10 library systems hit this milestone for the first time in 2022 (down from 22 in 2021, and 29 in 2020). Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Public Library became the first library system to surpass 10 million digital circulations via OverDrive.

The library systems on this year’s list span seven countries (U.S., Canada, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Germany).

OverDrive reported that the Twin Cities Metro eLibrary (MELSA) in Minnesota was the highest circulating consortium; the Georgia Download Destination logged the highest year-over-year circulation growth (up 49%); while for the second consecutive year, Verbund Öffntlicher Bibliotheken (VÖBB) (Berlin, Germany) reported the strongest growth for an international library (up 39%).

The news comes after OverDrive earlier this month reported that its library patrons worldwide borrowed some 555 million digital items in 2021 (including e-books, digital audiobooks, digital magazines, comics, and other content) a 10% increase over 2021.

. . . .

OverDrive’s Top 10 Circulating Library Systems 2022

  1. Los Angeles Public Library
  2. Toronto Public Library
  3. National Library Board Singapore
  4. King County Library System (WA)
  5. New York Public Library
  6. Harris County Public Library (TX)
  7. Multnomah County Library (OR)
  8. Seattle Public Library
  9. Mid-Continent Public Library (MO)
  10. San Diego County Library

. . . .

First-timers Hitting a million OverDrive Circulations

  • Tulsa City-County Library (OK)
  • Toledo Lucas County Public Library (OH)
  • Queens Public Library (NY)
  • Miami-Dade Public Library System (FL)
  • Sonoma County Library (CA)
  • Old Colony Library Network (MA)
  • eMediaLibrary (IL)
  • East Baton Rouge Parish Library (LA)
  • Dallas Public Library (TX)
  • Front Range Downloadable Library (CO)

Link to the rest at Publisher’s Weekly

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2 thoughts on “Record Number of Libraries Surpassed One Million Digital Lends in 2022”

  1. This list was prepared without looking at a map. Numbers 4 and 8, as one example, are coordinated systems; customers with a card in the King County Library System are also entitled to one at the Seattle Public Library, and vice versa. The two systems (it’s a longterm historical land-ownership thing, understanding it is like “knowing” Boston’s or St. Louis’s neighborhoods) should probably be combined in this survey.

    Similarly, eMediaLibrary is a new name provided to an existing system (that includes the largest graduate librarianship program in the country, and among the largest single-campus public university libraries in the country).

    C+, guys. Do your research.

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