Greater Phoenix Digital Library hits 6 Million Checkouts
Greater Phoenix Digital Library Ranks #11 in the World with 6 Million Digital Checkouts
MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. – January 17 – Maricopa County library users have reached a new milestone: 6 million digital books borrowed in 2023 from the Greater Phoenix Digital Library consortia (GPDL). According to a report released from OverDrive, GPDL, consisting of eight library systems in Maricopa County, is #11 on the worldwide ranking of digital checkouts from OverDrive’s Libby app.
The Greater Phoenix Digital Library is a public library consortia consisting of Apache Junction Public Library, Casa Grande Public Library, Glendale Public Library, Maricopa County Library District, Mesa Public Library, Peoria Public Library, Phoenix Public Library, and Scottsdale Public Library. By partnering together on the digital platform, the eight library systems are able to offer a more robust and diverse collection at a lower expense on each library’s budget than if they were to offer the digital collection on their own.
“The Greater Phoenix Digital Library consortia is a partnership with one goal: to get more books into more hands,” said Jeremy Reeder, Maricopa County Library District Director and County Librarian. “The fact that our community of readers is ranked one of the highest in the world is a testament to the support of our civic leaders and residents who continue to prioritize a strong library system in our growing county.”
These 6 million digital checkouts represent only a portion of the digital content Maricopa County residents are checking out. Many members of the consortia offer additional digital library platforms including Hoopla, TumbleBooks, Kanopy, and more. In its Fiscal Year 2022-2023, Maricopa County Library District alone reached 3 million digital checkouts of books, music, and movies between all of its digital entertainment platforms. The library district’s online databases, which includes platforms for career development, education resources, small business builders, and more, were used nearly 800,000 times last fiscal year.
All Maricopa County residents can access digital content, for free, with a valid library card any of the 15 public library systems in the County. A library card is free for any Maricopa County resident at all member libraries. Readers can use any major device, including Apple®, Android™, Chromebook™ and Kindle®.
The highest-circulating title Greater Phoenix Digital Library readers borrowed in 2023 was Verity by Colleen Hoover. The top-circulating genre, Fiction, represents the most popular in a vast catalog that also includes mystery, romance, children/young adult and more.
The top 5 ebook titles borrowed through Greater Phoenix Library’s digital collection in 2023:
- Verity by Colleen Hoover
- It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
- The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham
- Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
- It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover
The top 5 audiobook titles borrowed through Greater Phoenix Library’s digital collection in 2023:
- It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
- I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
- Spare by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
ABOUT MARICOPA COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT:
Maricopa County Library District (MCLD) is a special taxing district that operates 15 libraries countywide. MCLD’s mission is to provide access and services so residents experience an improved quality of life. Each year, the Library District welcomes nearly 2 million visitors, holds thousands of free events and programs for all ages, and hosts Maricopa County Reads, the award-winning Summer Reading Program. In 2023, the Library District held nearly 4,000 library events, 500 online events, and circulated 7.2 million physical and digital checkouts. For Maricopa County and Town of Queen Creek residents and property owners, a library card is free. For more information, visit https://mcldaz.org.
ABOUT OVERDRIVE:
OverDrive is a mission-based company that stands with libraries. Named a Certified B Corp in 2017, OverDrive serves tens of thousands of libraries and schools in over 100 countries with the industry’s largest digital catalog of ebooks, audiobooks, video and other content. Award-winning apps and services include the Libby library reading app, the Sora student reading app, Kanopy, the leading video streaming app for libraries and colleges, and TeachingBooks.net, which offers one of the largest catalogs of supplemental materials that enhance literacy outcomes. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is in Cleveland, Ohio USA. www.overdrive.com.