Public library

Libraries Achieve Record-Breaking Circulation of Digital Media in 2023

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024

CLEVELAND, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Librarians and educators achieved new milestones in 2023 by providing increasingly robust streaming options to satisfy the interests of all ages and audiences. Readers worldwide borrowed 662 million ebooks, audiobooks and digital magazines, a 19 percent increase over 2022. This growth was driven by a regular cadence of new release blockbuster titles, as well as new Libby reading app features and cost-effective access models. Streaming video through libraries and colleges on Kanopy also reached a record 23 million plays. Aggregated data was reported by OverDrive, the leading digital content platform for 92,000 libraries and schools in 115 countries worldwide.

Key Points: 
  • Readers worldwide borrowed 662 million ebooks, audiobooks and digital magazines, a 19 percent increase over 2022.
  • Streaming video through libraries and colleges on Kanopy also reached a record 23 million plays.
  • Aggregated data was reported by OverDrive , the leading digital content platform for 92,000 libraries and schools in 115 countries worldwide.
  • Most popular ebooks borrowed from libraries in 2023:
    Most popular audiobooks borrowed from libraries in 2023:
    Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (Recorded Books, Inc.)

American Library Association Releases Preliminary Data on 2023 Book Challenges

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 20, 2023

CHICAGO, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Library Association (ALA) has released new preliminary data documenting the continued rise in attempts to censor books and materials in public, school and academic libraries during the first eight months in 2023.

Key Points: 
  • CHICAGO, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Library Association (ALA) has released new preliminary data documenting the continued rise in attempts to censor books and materials in public, school and academic libraries during the first eight months in 2023.
  • In the past, most challenges to library resources only sought to remove or restrict a single book.
  • *ALA compiles data on book challenges from reports filed with OIF by library professionals and from news stories throughout the U.S. Because many book challenges are not reported to ALA or covered by press, this data represents only a snapshot of book censorship throughout the year.
  • A challenge to a book may be resolved in favor of retaining the book in the collection or result in a book being restricted or withdrawn from the library.

OverDrive Releases 2022 Digital Book Circulation Data and Highlights

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 6, 2023

CLEVELAND, Jan. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2022, digital book lending grew significantly due to innovations that high-performing public libraries, schools and other institutions used to serve their readers. These efforts resulted in record circulation of digital books, with ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and comic books each greatly contributing to year-over-year growth, according to industry leader OverDrive.

Key Points: 
  • These efforts resulted in record circulation of digital books, with ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and comic books each greatly contributing to year-over-year growth, according to industry leader OverDrive .
  • During the year, readers borrowed 555 million ebooks, audiobooks, digital magazines, comics and other digital content, a 10 percent increase over 2021.
  • Data was reported by OverDrive, the leading digital reading platform for 88,000 libraries and schools in 109 countries worldwide, and creator of the award-winning Libby and Sora reading apps.
  • OverDrive has donated more than 16 million digital copies since 2019 through Community Reads, digital book clubs and other reader programs
    More than 14,000 libraries held their own local digital book club in 2022.

Ghostly presentations this October bring the Dead to Life thanks to L'Aura Hladik Hoffman

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 8, 2022

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., Sept. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- This October, L'Aura Hladik Hoffman, Author/Presenter, will be on the road to libraries throughout New Jersey lecturing on her many ghostly experiences from the past 30 years. Based on her books, "Ghosthunting New Jersey," and "Ghosthunting New York City" (both published by Clerisy Press for the America's Haunted Road Trip series), L'Aura details the history and the haunting while incorporating updated stories and evidence not covered in either of the books.

Key Points: 
  • HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., Sept. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- This October, L'Aura Hladik Hoffman, Author/Presenter, will be on the road to libraries throughout New Jersey lecturing on her many ghostly experiences from the past 30 years.
  • L'Aura notes: "Much has changed in the world of paranormal investigating since I first started.
  • ", Gloucester County Library - Greenwich branch, 411 Swedesboro Rd., Gibbstown, NJ 08027
    October 8, 3:00 PM = "Ghosthunting NJ & NYC: Updated!!
  • ", Ocean County Library, Toms River Branch, 101 Washington St., Toms River, NJ 08753
    October 13, 7:00 PM = "Ghosthunting NJ & NYC: Updated!!

OverDrive Announces New Communication Services to Empower Libraries

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 16, 2022

The "OverDrive Hub" will extend the market-leading suite of tools already serving the world's libraries from OverDrive Marketplace and the Libby app with the introduction of Newsroom and The Loop.

Key Points: 
  • The "OverDrive Hub" will extend the market-leading suite of tools already serving the world's libraries from OverDrive Marketplace and the Libby app with the introduction of Newsroom and The Loop.
  • The OverDrive Hub will be a destination for all librarians, accessed via single sign-on using OverDrive Marketplace credentials.
  • OverDrive Marketplace provides libraries total control over the selection of titles and lending models with proven tools to curate engaging content for all audiences.
  • The company will present information about OverDrive Hub services and updates for all its public library content services at PLA 2022 in Booth #1337.

Bonus Borrows are back on hoopla digital for August and Back-to-School season

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 2, 2021

HOLLAND, Ohio, Aug. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --hoopla digital, the category-creating service for public libraries, is bringing back its popular Bonus Borrows program for the month of August and Back-to-School season.

Key Points: 
  • HOLLAND, Ohio, Aug. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --hoopla digital, the category-creating service for public libraries, is bringing back its popular Bonus Borrows program for the month of August and Back-to-School season.
  • hoopla digital's Bonus Borrows is a curated collection of about 500 popular titles, available to library patrons for unlimited borrowing that will not impact monthly borrow limits.
  • hoopla digital is widely recognized as home to the largest and most diverse collection of STEAM content from a digital service available with a library card at a participating public library.
  • hoopla digital is a service of Midwest Tape a trusted partner to public libraries for over 30 years.

Anaheim Public Library Named 2021 Gale/Library Journal Library of the Year

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 6, 2021

ANAHEIM, Calif. and NEW YORK, July 6, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Anaheim Public Library (APL) is the 2021 Gale /Library Journal Library of the Year.

Key Points: 
  • ANAHEIM, Calif. and NEW YORK, July 6, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Anaheim Public Library (APL) is the 2021 Gale /Library Journal Library of the Year.
  • Established in 1992, the Library of the Year Award celebrates the library that most profoundly demonstrates service to the community, creativity, and innovation.
  • Also featured in the July 2021 issue of Library Journal are two other libraries honored with special mentions in the 2021 Library of the Year Award program.
  • Founded in 1876, Library Journal is one of the oldest and most respected publications covering the library field.

The Homestead Cybrarium Opens Breaking the Mold of Traditional Library Service

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 30, 2021

HOMESTEAD, Fla., March 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --The City of Homestead and Library Systems & Services (LS&S) have partnered to open a one-of-a-kind, ultra-modern public library.

Key Points: 
  • HOMESTEAD, Fla., March 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --The City of Homestead and Library Systems & Services (LS&S) have partnered to open a one-of-a-kind, ultra-modern public library.
  • The Cybrarium is the City of Homestead's much-anticipated high-tech library that marries traditional library services with advanced technology and innovative programming.
  • "The innovation and creativity behind the Cybrarium will make it a model for communities looking to evolve traditional library service."
  • Library Systems & Services (LS&S) partners with communities to provide more public library services than any system in the country.

Scholastic Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter Dividend

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 17, 2021

NEW YORK, March 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors today declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share on the Company's Class A and Common Stock for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, March 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors today declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share on the Company's Class A and Common Stock for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021.
  • The dividend is payable on June 15, 2021 to all shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 30, 2021.
  • For 100 years, Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) has been encouraging the personal and intellectual growth of all children, beginning with literacy.
  • With 15 international operations and exports to 165 countries, Scholastic makes quality, affordable books available to all children around the world through school-based book clubs and book fairs, classroom libraries, school and public libraries, retail, and online.

Over 100 Public Libraries Exceed 1 Million Digital Book Checkouts in 2020

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 12, 2021

CLEVELAND, Jan. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A record 102 public library systems from around the world empowered readers to borrow over 1 million ebooks and audiobooks from their digital collections in 2020.

Key Points: 
  • CLEVELAND, Jan. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A record 102 public library systems from around the world empowered readers to borrow over 1 million ebooks and audiobooks from their digital collections in 2020.
  • This represents the most systems ever to reach this milestone through OverDrive , the leading digital reading platform.
  • These 102 systems from the U.S., Canada, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand achieved the elite "Million Checkout Club" status with 29 reaching the milestone for the first time.
  • The top 10 ebook and digital audiobook-circulating library systems for 2020: