Kent District Library (KDL) announced today that it reached a record-breaking one million digital book checkouts in 2021. This milestone illustrates the continued growth and importance of library digital lending of ebooks and audiobooks, especially after a prolonged period of building closures due to the global pandemic. KDL is one of 121 public library systems worldwide that surpassed one million digital checkouts (complete list here).
KDL has been providing readers 24/7 access to ebooks and audiobooks for several years through OverDrive, and more recently through the award-winning Libby library reading app. Reader interest and usage has grown every year.
“Digital access continues to be the fastest growing segment of public library resources,” said Lance Werner, Executive Director of Kent District Library. “We're thrilled to be able to meet people wherever they are, to provide them with books, movies, audiobooks and more.”
The highest-circulating title KDL readers borrowed in 2021 was The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. The top-circulating genre, romance, represents the most popular in a vast catalog that also includes mystery, biography & autobiography, children/young adult and more.
The top five ebook titles borrowed through Kent District Library’s digital collection in 2021:
- The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
- The Four Winds by Kirstin Hannah
- The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate
- People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
The top five audiobook titles borrowed through Kent District Library’s digital collection in 2021:
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- The Guest List by Lucy Foley
- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
- The Four Winds by Kirstin Hannah
KDL residents just need a valid library card to access digital books from KDL’s OverDrive-powered digital collection. You can use any major device, including Apple®, Android™, Chromebook™ and Kindle® (U.S. only). Download the Libby app or visit kdl.overdrive.com/ to get started borrowing ebooks and audiobooks anytime, anywhere.
