Digital Circulation Increases More Than 34 % in 2013

Patrons’ ease with eBooks and audiobooks surges

Geauga County Public Library’s (GCPL) total eBook circulation in 2013 was 66,924, representing a 34.4 percent increase in annual circulation for eBooks and audiobooks. Electronic devices that allow people to download reading material and enjoy eBooks and audiobooks are not only a mainstay of daily consumer communication, they also are escalating in library circulation trends.

Reasons for the increased circulation include a wide array of best-selling and classic titles on a variety of digital platforms including the library’s new Overdrive site.

Additionally, as new devices are introduced to the market, GCPL stays ahead of emerging technology trends, training staff members on how to access digital content on Kindles, Nooks, iPads, Galaxy tablets, smart phones, and other eReaders.

“We’ve been a big proponent of digital books for years,” says Director Deborah F. O’Connor. “We understand that if our patrons have these devices, we need to be able to help them access our digital collection. We have device gurus at every location to work with people to learn how to browse our digital collection and check out these materials.” 

GCPL expects the growth trend to continue throughout 2014. Overdrive isn’t the only digital platform library patrons have access to. Zinio is an online magazine service that allows patrons to download popular magazines including National Geographic, Oprah, Car & Driver, and dozens of others. And, most recently, GCPL added hoopla™ to the digital mix. Hoopla gives patrons access to thousands of movies, television shows, audiobooks, and music collections. All these items are available for mobile and online access.

Checkout times vary depending upon service or item type. Regardless of platform, patrons never pay overdue charges because all items are automatically returned. All patrons with valid library cards are eligible to take advantage of these digital services.

“We take our collection, both physical and digital, seriously,” O’Connor says. “We provide what people want and we will continue expanding our offerings as patrons’ needs dictate. Right now, there’s no denying digital growth.”

Current top titles in GCPL’s Overdrive site:

 1. Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich
2. Divergent by Veronica Roth
3. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
4. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
5. Dark Witch by Nora Roberts
6. Cross My Heart by James Patterson
7. Home to Seaview by Key Sherryl Woods
8. The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks
9. Sycamore Row by John Grisham
10. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

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GCPL’s annual digital circulation increased more than 34 percent in 2013. Overdrive, hoopla and Zinio are the three main platforms that any patron with a valid library card may access to download, stream and enjoy digital books, audiobooks, magazines, music, movies and television programs.

 

Geauga News
Author: Geauga News