Leading library service provider OverDrive this week reported that a total of 121 public libraries and consortia across seven countries and 37 U.S. states surpassed one million digital lends in 2021. The number represents a significant jump from 2020, when 102 libraries hit the mark, although more libraries (29) joined the million+ club in 2020.
According to OverDrive officials, 22 library systems made more than one million loans in 2021, with the Toronto Public Library leading the pack for a ninth consecutive year, while also achieving a new record for digital loans with nearly 10 million digital titles circulated.
The Los Angeles Public Library retained the #1 U.S. public library position for the third year in a row. In addition, for the first time, students from four K-12 school districts in 2021 accessed more than one million digital books with Sora, OverDrive’s student reading app.
In a blog post, OverDrive officials noted that libraries in 2021 continued to provide "a vital service to their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic," enabling library patrons "to safely seek and enjoy books from home." In addition, the growth in digital book clubs like Big Library Read "connected readers from across the globe" and promoted books and reading.
Last week, OverDrive reported that in 2021 digital lends surpassed the half a billion mark for the first time, a 16% jump over 2020.
The complete list of 2021 Million+ Circulation libraries can be found here. The top circulating digital ebooks, audiobooks and magazines can be found here.
OverDrive's 2021 Top 10 library Systems in total digital circulations (e-books, audiobooks and magazines)
- Toronto Public Library
- National Library Board Singapore
- Los Angeles Public Library
- King County Library System (WA)
- New York Public Library
- Multnomah County Library (OR)
- Seattle Public Library
- Harris County Public Library (TX)
- Calgary Public Library (AB, Canada)
- Mid-Continent Public Library (MO)
OverDrive Library systems achieving Million+ Circulation status for digital books for the first time in 2021:
- Arkansas Digital Library Consortium
- eIndiana Digital Consortium
- Albuquerque Bernalillo County Library System
- Dayton Metro Library
- Fraser Valley Regional Library
- Nebraska OverDrive Libraries
- Winnipeg Public Library
- Western Australia Public Libraries
- Indiana Digital Download Center
- Fort Worth Public Library
- Jacksonville Public Library
- Brisbane City Council Library Services
- Okanagan Regional Library (Canada)
- Louisville Free Public Library
- Libraries NI (Northern Ireland)
- Baltimore County Public Library
- Kent District Library
- The Libraries Consortium (UK)
- Verbund Öffentlicher Bibliotheken (VÖBB) Berlin
- Houston Public Library
- Georgia Download Destination
- MELSA: Twin Cities Metro eLibrary
