ATLANTA – February 1, 2024 – Fulton County Library System announced today that its patrons reached a new milestone: 1.2 million digital books borrowed in 2023 through the Libby app. This achievement illustrates the library’s commitment to serving all members of the community in innovative ways, including with a large catalog of eBooks, eAudiobooks and other digital media.
Fulton County Library System is #81 of all standalone public libraries and one of 152 total public library systems worldwide that surpassed one million digital checkouts in the last calendar year (complete list here).
Fulton County Library System has been providing readers 24/7 access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, comic books and other digital content for several years through the award-winning Libby app, the library reading app created by OverDrive. The large collection serves readers of all ages and interests, and usage has grown throughout the years.
Fulton County Library System also offers thousands of movies and TV shows available through Kanopy, the leading video streaming service for public libraries. Viewers enjoyed hundreds/thousands of hours of content ranging from documentaries, children’s TV shows, instructional series and Academy award-winning films, all for free without ads.
“The Fulton County Library System is thrilled to surpass the one million mark for digital checkouts in 2023,” said Gayle Holloman, Executive Director, Fulton County Library System. “This milestone shows the importance of our digital offerings to our library patrons and how valuable eBooks, eAudiobooks, and e-magazines are to the residents of Fulton County. We are thrilled to see our patrons taking advantage of the robust catalog of titles available through Libby.”
The highest-circulating title Fulton County Library System readers borrowed in 2023 was Spare, by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex. The top-circulating genre, thriller, represents the most popular in a vast catalog that also includes romance, suspense, mystery, children/young adult and more.
The top 5 eBook titles borrowed through Fulton County Library System’s digital collection in 2023:
- Verity by Colleen Hoover
- Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
- Spare by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex
- Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
- Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
The top 5 eAudiobook titles borrowed through Fulton County Library System’s digital collection in 2023:
- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
- The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
- Spare by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex
- I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Readers in Fulton County just need a valid library card to access digital books from Fulton County Library System’s OverDrive-powered digital collection. You can use any major device, including Apple(R), Android™, Chromebook™ and Kindle(R) (U.S. only).
Download the Libby app or visit https://afpls.overdrive.com/ to get started borrowing eBooks, eAudiobooks and more anytime, anywhere.
About Fulton County Library System
The Fulton County Library System serves the citizens of Fulton County and the City of Atlanta (including the portion of the city in DeKalb County). It is the largest in the state, with 34 libraries offering innovative programs, services, and virtual resources tailored to meet the needs of the community. Children, teens, and adults may choose from a variety of classes, visit exhibitions, listen to authors discuss their work, check out videos, DVDs, and CDs, attend book club discussions, get homework help, hear music, and see live performances. The Fulton County Library System's mission is to serve as a cultural and intellectual center that enriches the community and empowers all residents with essential tools for lifelong learning. Learn more at www.fulcolibrary.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
Contact:
Claudia Strange
Fulton County Library System
404.731.0195
Claudia.strange@fultoncountyga.gov
