Libby and Kanopy achieve new milestones as libraries, schools, and institutions worldwide expand access to ebooks, audiobooks, digital magazines, and streaming video

CLEVELAND – January 27, 2025 – Librarians and educators achieved remarkable new milestones in 2024 by providing increasingly robust digital lending and streaming options to satisfy library patrons of all ages. Using OverDrive’s award-winning Libby and Sora apps, readers worldwide borrowed over 739 million ebooks, audiobooks, and digital magazines, a 17% increase over 2023. Streaming video through libraries and universities on Kanopy also reached a record 27.8 million plays.

A record 192 library systems, consortia, and school libraries reached over one million digital checkouts, with Los Angeles Public Library topping the list. Over 30 library systems and consortia surpassed one million digital checkouts for the first time in 2024, earning them a spot in Libby’s Million Checkout Club.

2024 marked additional significant milestones for the Libby app and the streaming app Kanopy. More than 9.1 million people installed the Libby app, and over 118.9 million new users joined library systems globally, signaling the continued expansion of digital library services. In 2024, Kanopy’s total streaming minutes surpassed 950 million, an 18% increase over the previous year.

2024 digital lending records from the OverDrive global network:

  • Total digital checkouts from libraries and schools: 739.5 million (+17% YoY)
    • Ebooks borrowed: 366.2 million (+7%)
    • Audiobooks borrowed: 278.3 million (+19%)
    • Magazines borrowed: 95.1 million (+70%)
    • Comics borrowed: 44.8 million (+20%)
    • Children and Young Adult titles borrowed: 157.8 million (+14%)
  • Public library checkouts: 706.3 million (+17%)
  • School checkouts: 56.2 million (+15%)
  • Libby installs: 9.2 million (+1%)
  • New library users: 118.9 million (+16%)

2024 streaming records from Kanopy:

  • Plays: 27.8 million (+18%)
  • Total minutes streamed: 950.4 million (+18%)

Top Ten Titles by Digital Checkouts of 2024:

  1. The Women by Kristin Hannah
  2. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
  3. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
  4. None of This is True by Lisa Jewell
  5. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
  6. First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
  7. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
  8. Funny Story by Emily Henry
  9. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
  10. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Top Ten Authors by Digital Checkouts of 2024:

  1. James Patterson
  2. Sarah J. Maas
  3. Colleen Hoover
  4. David Baldacci
  5. Kristin Hannah
  6. Freida McFadden
  7. Rebecca Yarros
  8. John Grisham
  9. Nora Roberts
  10. Stephen King

Top 10 library systems circulating ebooks, audiobooks and digital magazines in 2024:

  1. Los Angeles Public Library
  2. Toronto Public Library
  3. National Library Board Singapore
  4. King County Library System
  5. Harris County Public Library
  6. Multnomah County Library
  7. New York Public Library
  8. San Diego County Library
  9. Mid-Continent Public Library
  10. Auckland Libraries

Top 5 consortia circulating ebooks, audiobooks and digital magazines in 2024:

  1. MELSA: Twin Cities Metro eLibrary
  2. The Ohio Digital Library
  3. Wisconsin Public Library Consortium
  4. Indiana Digital Library
  5. Greater Phoenix Digital Library

Top digital-circulating library system by country in 2024:

  • United States: Los Angeles Public Library
  • Australia: South Australian Public Library Network
  • Austria: Arbeiterkammer
  • Canada: Toronto Public Library
  • Germany: Verbund der Öffentlichen Bibliotheken Berlins (VÖBB)
  • New Zealand: Auckland Libraries
  • Singapore: National Library Board Singapore
  • United Kingdom: The Libraries Consortium

32 library systems and consortia for the first time achieving million+ digital book circulation:

  • Alaska Digital Library
  • Arbeiterkammer
  • ArkansasLibrary2Go
  • Central Texas Digital Consortium
  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
  • Cobb County Public Library System
  • DeKalb County Public Library
  • Delaware Libraries
  • E-iNC Library
  • Jefferson County Library Cooperative
  • Jefferson County Public Library
  • Knox County Public Library
  • London Public Library
  • Lower North Island
  • Main Library Alliance
  • MARINet
  • Markham Public Library
  • Merrimack Valley Library Consortium
  • Metro Net Library Consortium
  • North Dakota Digital Consortium
  • Panhandle Library Access Network
  • Pioneer Library System
  • Richland Library
  • Salt Lake City Public Library
  • San Bernardino County Library
  • Southwest Virginia Public Libraries
  • Spokane County Library District
  • Sunflower eLibrary
  • TRAC Consortium
  • Upper Hudson Library System
  • Washoe County Library System
  • Wellington City Libraries

Visit www.overdrive.com to learn more about the award-winning Libby, Sora, and Kanopy apps.

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About OverDrive

OverDrive is a mission-based company that supports libraries and schools worldwide. Named a Certified B Corp in 2017, OverDrive serves more than 92,000 libraries and schools in 115 countries with the industry’s largest digital catalog of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, video, and other content. OverDrive empowers libraries and schools by expanding access for all through tireless industry advocacy and consistent innovation. Award-winning apps and services include the Libby library reading app, the Sora student reading platform, Kanopy, the leading video streaming app for libraries and colleges, and TeachingBooks, which offers one of the largest catalogs of supplemental materials that enhance literacy outcomes. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. www.overdrive.com

 

Contact:

Madison Stoneburner

Marketing & Communications Specialist I

Phone: +1 216-573-6886 ext. 1389

mstoneburner@overdrive.com