Multnomah County Library Announces Record Three Million Ebook and Audiobook Checkouts in 2019

PORTLAND, Ore. – January 9, 2020 – Multnomah County Library today announced that they achieved a record-breaking three million digital book checkouts in 2019. This accomplishment illustrates the continued growth and importance of library lending of ebooks and audiobooks along with the creative ways the library has served its community with digital services. Multnomah County Library is one of 73 systems around the world – including standalone libraries and consortia – that surpassed one million checkouts through Rakuten OverDrive, the leading digital reading platform and its award-winning app Libby (complete list here).

“E-books and downloadable audiobooks are vitally important to our community," said Multnomah County Library Electronic Content Librarian Kady Ferris. “Multnomah County Library is a top-circulating library in the country for digital content, and in the past five years, e-book checkouts have grown by 210%.

"Even though major publishers are trying to restrict library access to digital content, we work hard to meet our community’s needs across formats."

Becoming by Michelle Obama is the #1 ebook and audio book borrowed in the Multnomah County library system.Multnomah County Library has been providing readers 24/7 access to ebooks and audiobooks for several years. Reader interest and usage has grown every year, reflecting popular trends and interests both locally and across the country. In 2019, the highest-circulating title across both formats that Multnomah County Library readers borrowed through OverDrive was Becoming by Michelle Obama. The top-circulating genre, romance, represents the most popular in a vast catalog that also includes mystery, fantasy and children/young adult.

The top 5 ebook titles borrowed through Multnomah County Library's digital collection in 2019:

1. Becoming by Michelle Obama
2. Educated by Tara Westover
3. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
4. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
5. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

The top 5 audiobook titles borrowed through Multnomah County Library's digital collection in 2019:

1. Becoming by Michelle Obama
2. You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
3. Circe by Madeline Miller
4. Educated by Tara Westover
5. Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

Named one of Popular Mechanics’ 20 Best Apps of the 2010s and one of PCMag’s Best Free Software of 2019, Libby seamlessly connects first-time users and experienced readers with the popular digital collections of libraries. Readers may browse the library’s digital collection, instantly borrow titles and start reading or listening for free with a valid library card.

Readers in Multnomah County just need a valid library card to access digital books from Multnomah County Library’s OverDrive-powered digital collection. Readers can use any major device, including iPhone®, iPad®, Android™, and Windows®. With Libby, readers can also “send to Kindle®” devices and apps [US only]. All titles will automatically expire at the end of the lending period and there are no late fees. Readers can also download titles onto Libby for offline use.

Visit https://multcolib.overdrive.com/ or download the Libby app to get started and borrow ebooks and audiobooks anytime, anywhere.

About Multnomah County Library: A treasured community institution since 1864, Multnomah County Library is one of the nation’s busiest public library systems, providing social, educational and cultural programs, resources and services to about 25,000 people each day, online and throughout its 19 public locations. In addition to being Oregon’s largest provider of free internet access, the library offers millions of print and digital resources, in multiple languages for people of all ages. From kindergarten readiness to job training, computer-assisted design and 3D printing, the library supports all people in their pursuits to connect, learn and create. Learn more at multcolib.org.