The Fairfax County Public Library reached a major milestone in 2023 with 3 million digital loans in a single year. This is the first time the library system has exceeded the threshold since introducing OverDrive in 2006, the library's online digital catalog provider. With this achievement, we joined an elite group of library systems around the world. In 2022, only 37 libraries who use OverDrive hit the 3 million total digital checkout mark in a year.
TOP DIGITAL ITEMSFOR 2023
The top digital items that helped our library surpass the 3 million mark for 2023 were:
Top 5 Adult eBook/eAudiobooks:
- The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese (eAudio)
- 101 Essays that Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest (eAudio)
- Verity by Colleen Hoover (eBook)
- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (eAudio)
- Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (eBook)
Top 5 Childrens and Young Adult eBook/eAudiobooks:
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (eAudio)
- A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas (eAudio)
- The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (eBook)
- A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sara J. Maas (eAudio)
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (eAudio)
Top 5 eMagazines:
- The New Yorker
- Us Weekly
- New Scientist
- Cook’s Illustrated
- The Week Magazine
TOP PRINT MATERIAL CHECKOUTS FOR 2023
Of course, sometimes there’s no comparison with holding and reading a physical book.
Top 5 Print Adult:
- World of Curiosities by Louise Penny
- Desert Star by Michael Connelly
- Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham
- Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
- Long Shadows by David Baldacci
Top 5 Print Childrens/Young Adult:
- Thank You Book by Mo Willems
- Dog Man: Fetch by Dav Pilkey
- Dog Man: Mothering Heights by Dav Pilkey
- I Really Like Slop by Mo Willems
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s Journal by Jeff Kinney
LIBRARY OF THINGS
The library also offers much more to check out! Our Library of Things is a collection of items for loan that expands the boundaries of traditionally defined library materials. The items include:
- Artwork
- Binoculars
- Board Games
- Book Discussion Kits
- Conserve Kits (Energy Conservation)
- Hands-On History Kits
- LaunchPads
- Meters
- Nature Backpacks
- Thermal Cameras
The collection is always growing and evolving to meet residents’ needs. This year saw the addition of a variety of Meters and guided learning LaunchPad tablets. Several new offerings are anticipated in 2024, including Dark Skies Kits and Birdwatching Kits.
Finally, 2024 will be an exciting year for our 23 library branches. Fairfax County Public Library will celebrate its 85th anniversary all year long with programs, events and fun for all ages. Stop by your local library soon to see what’s new!
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