Arkansas Digital Library Consortium Reaches Record-Breaking One Million Digital Book Checkouts in 2022

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Arkansas Digital Library Consortium Reaches Record-Breaking One Million Digital Book Checkouts in 2022

Top 35 public library systems worldwide in total digital circulation

MONTICELLO, AR – January 19, 2023 – Arkansas Digital Library Consortium announced today that it exceeded its 2021 record-breaking one million digital book checkouts. In 2022, ADLC checked out over 1.3 million eBooks, audiobooks, and other digital media to library users in over 135 library locations around the state. For ADLC, this milestone illustrates the continued growth and importance of libraries, as well as the libraries’ success in serving all members of the community. With 1.3 million checkouts, Arkansas Digital Library Consortium is #31 of all public library consortia worldwide, and one of 129 public library systems to surpass one million checkouts in 2022 (complete list here).

Arkansas Digital Library Consortium member libraries have been providing readers 24/7 access to eBooks, audiobooks, and digital magazines for several years through the award-winning Libby app, the library reading app created by OverDrive, which lets readers search ADLC’s collection of over 100,000 titles and enjoy them on the device of their choice. The robust collection serves readers of all ages and interests, and usage has grown every year.

“These numbers are impressive, but not at all surprising, said Jennifer Chilcoat, Director of the Arkansas State Library. “Libraries in Arkansas do so much to meet their users where they are, providing resources that are not only valuable but also tailored to the needs and interests of each individual.” 

The highest-circulating title Arkansas Digital Library Consortium readers borrowed in 2022 was The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. The top-circulating genre, romance, represents the most popular in a vast catalog that also includes mystery, fantasy, children/young adult, and more.

The top 5 eBook titles borrowed through Arkansas Digital Library Consortium’s digital collection in 2022:
1. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
2. The Judge's List by John Grisham
3. Verity by Colleen Hoover
4. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
5. Run, Rose, Run by James Patterson

The top 5 audiobook titles borrowed through Arkansas Digital Library Consortium’s digital collection in 2022:
1. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
2. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
3. Run, Rose, Run by James Patterson
4. The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
5. The Judge's List by John Grisham

Residents of Arkansas just need a valid library card from a member library to access digital books from Arkansas Digital Library Consortium’s OverDrive-powered digital collection. Readers can use any major device, including Apple^(R), Android™, Chromebook™, and Kindle^(R) (U.S. only).

Download the Libby app or visit https://adlc.overdrive.com/ to get started borrowing eBooks, audiobooks, and more anytime, anywhere.

About Arkansas Digital Library Consortium

The Arkansas Digital Library Consortium (ADLC) was formed to facilitate the acquisition and use of digital content by pooling the buying power of Arkansas public libraries. ADLC is administered by the Arkansas State Library and is open to all public libraries within the state.

About OverDrive

OverDrive is a mission-based company that stands with libraries. Named a Certified B Corp in 2017, OverDrive serves more than 88,000 libraries and schools in 109 countries with the industry’s largest digital catalog of eBooks, audiobooks, video, and other content. OverDrive’s commitment to empower every library and school includes expanding access for all, tireless industry advocacy, and consistently innovating. Award-winning apps and services include the Libby library reading app, the Sora student reading app, Kanopy, the leading video streaming app for libraries and colleges, and TeachingBooks.net, which offers one of the largest catalogs of supplemental materials that enhance literacy outcomes. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is in Cleveland, Ohio USA. www.overdrive.com

Contact:
Katie Walton
Arkansas Digital Library Consortium
katie.walton@ade.arkansas.gov