Recently, we shared news about another record-setting year in digital reading as libraries and schools around the world circulated over a quarter of a billion titles through OverDrive in 2017. Libraries hit individual milestones as well, with 58 library systems surpassed 1 million eBook and audiobook checkouts in the calendar year. The libraries represented the U.S., Canada, Singapore and New Zealand, as readers worldwide continued the consistent growth of library digital lending.

Several libraries far exceeded one million checkouts, with five hitting two million, seven hitting three million and Toronto Public Library and Wisconsin Public Library Consortium surpassing four million digital titles borrowed. Additionally, nine libraries reached the million mark for the first time, which lead to 2017 beating the previous record of 49 libraries that were apart of the Million Checkout Club in 2016.

Several libraries achieved their success through innovative and engaging marketing campaigns:

  • Sacramento Public Library introduced a new Instant Digital Card where new patrons use their cell number to access the collection in less than 30 seconds. Circulation also grew after consolidating the library’s eBook collection from another vendor to OverDrive to gain access to 20,000 additional titles compatible with Kindle® devices and apps.
  • Austin Public Library created targeted web graphics in English and Spanish, increased the number of titles readers can borrow, and frequently updated curated lists for readers, often on a daily basis.
  • National Library Board of Singapore created an immersive experience on two commuter trains in Hobbit and middle earth themes and included QR codes for riders to instantly borrow the eBook as part of a national reading movement. The library also launched the first Digital Business Library offering 24/7 instant access to 19,000 world-class eBooks and audiobooks covering the latest business trends such as business intelligence, data analytics and cybersecurity.

Here is the complete list of Million Checkout Club members for 2017:

Library Systems:

Toronto Public Library

King County Library System

Los Angeles Public Library

New York Public Library

Seattle Public Library

Hennepin County Library

Cleveland Public Library

Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

Multnomah County Library

Cuyahoga County Public Library

Calgary Public Library

Mid-Continent Public Library

Fairfax County Public Library

San Francisco Public Library

National Library Board Singapore

County of Los Angeles Public Library

Indianapolis Public Library

Harris County Public Library

Broward County Library

Pikes Peak Library District

Sno-Isle Libraries

Boston Public Library

Denver Public Library

Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative

Metropolitan Library System

Sacramento Public Library

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

St. Louis County Library

Brooklyn Public Library

The Free Library of Philadelphia

San Antonio Public Library

Orange County Library System

San Diego County Library

Ottawa Public Library

Nashville Public Library

Edmonton Public Library

Salt Lake County Library Services

Pierce County Library System

Austin Public Library

 

Consortia:

Wisconsin Public Library Consortium

The Ohio Digital Library

Greater Phoenix Digital Library

Tennessee READS

Digital Downloads Collaboration

Maryland’s Digital Library

Ontario Library Service Consortium

North Carolina Digital Library

Kentucky Libraries Unbound

Oregon Digital Library Consortium

Utah’s Online Library

Livebrary.com

Midwest Collaborative for Library Services

Auckland Libraries

My Media Mall

Houston Area Digital Media Catalog

Las Vegas-Clark County Library District

Bridges

Minuteman Library Network