Westchester Library System, WLS, announced on Jan. 13 that it reached a record-breaking one million digital book checkouts through OverDrive in 2020. For the WLS this accomplishment illustrates the continued growth and importance of library digital lending of ebooks and audiobooks, especially in a year with building closures due to the global pandemic.
WLS, consisting of 38 libraries in Westchester County, is one of 102 public library systems worldwide that surpassed one million checkouts. WLS member libraries have been providing readers 24/7 access to ebooks and audiobooks for several years through Over-
Drive and its award-winning Libby reading app. Reader interest and usage has grown every year. Member libraries include Yonkers
Public Library, New Rochelle Public Library and Mount Vernon Public Library.
“We are thrilled to mark this milestone,” said Terry L. Kirchner, executive director of the Westchester Library System. “The 38 member public libraries are committed to promoting literacy, a love of reading, and access to books. Reaching one million checkouts shows how valuable access to materials is to the readers in our communities.”
The highest-circulating title WLS readers borrowed through OverDrive in 2020 was “Educated” by Tara Westover. The top-circulating genre, thrillers, represents the most popular in a vast catalog that also includes romance, biographies and children/young adult.
Readers in Westchester County just need a valid library card to access digital books from WLS’s OverDrive-powered digital collection.
Readers can use any major device, including Apple, Android, Chromebook and Kindle (US only).
Visit https://westchester.overdrive.com/ or download the Libby app to get started and borrow ebooks and audiobooks anytime, anywhere. (Submitted)
The top 5 ebook titles borrowed through Westchester Library System’s digital collection in 2020:
1. “Educated” by Tara Westover
2. “Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng
3. “The Dutch House” by Ann Patchett
4. “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens
5. “The Giver of Stars” by Jojo Moyes
The top 5 audiobook titles borrowed through Westchester Library System’s digital collection in 2020:
1. “Becoming” by Michelle Obama
2. “Educated” by Tara Westover
3. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” by J.K. Rowling
4. “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens
5. “American Dirt” by Jeanine Cummins
