Public Libraries Lend One Billion Titles with the Libby Reading App

Accessing libraries for reading is a "joyful" antidote to inflation

CLEVELAND, Jan. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As public libraries continue their mission to serve their communities, a major milestone was reached for the most popular ebook, audiobook, magazine and comics app for library patrons: one billion digital books borrowed in Libby, the library reading app. The Libby app, created by OverDrive, is used in over 22,000 public libraries and thousands of colleges, universities, corporate libraries and learning centers.

The one billionth checkout in Libby occurred on January 21 through a member public library of the Arkansas Digital Library Consortium. The title An Unwanted Guestby Shari Lapena, a murder mystery released in 2018 reinforces the growing reality that readers of all ages use their local library to enjoy digital books of all genres, in addition to the most popular and trending new releases.

"This is the happiest of accidents," said Jennifer Chilcoat, Director of the Arkansas State Library. "The Arkansas Digital Library Consortium has exponentially expanded the reading and learning choices that are available to Arkansans, and providing Libby's billionth checkout is a joyful reminder of that impact. We are proud to be a part of Libby's success story, and even prouder to be part of the success story of Arkansas' great public libraries."