Hillsborough library patrons break digital borrowing record

Patrons of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library system smashed the record in terms of digital checkouts during 2022, outpacing last year’s numbers by 6%.

The total number of digital items checked out reached 2,168,421, according to a Hillsborough County news release. E-books led the list, in terms of the most popular item checked out.

This is the seventh consecutive year the library has made it into the Million+ Digital Checkout Club, the release says.

The milestone illustrates the continued growth and importance of the library lending e-books, audiobooks, and other digital content.

The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library provides readers 24/7 access to e-books, audiobooks, and e-magazines through OverDrive and the Libby app.

The highest-circulating title that readers borrowed in 2022 was “The Last Thing He Told Me” by Laura Dave. Adult e-books were the most popular digital item, averaging more than 25,365 checkouts each week.

Here are the top five adult e-books:

1. “The Last Thing He Told Me” by Laura Dave 
2. “The Judge’s List” by John Grisham 
3. “Verity” by Colleen Hoover 
4. “Apples Never Fall” by Liane Moriarty 
5. “The Paris Apartment” by Lucy Foley 

The top five adult audiobooks: 

1. “The Last Thing He Told Me” (unabridged) by Laura Dave 
2. “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens 
3. “The Guest List” by Lucy Foley 
4. “Apples Never Fall” (unabridged) by Liane Moriarty 
5. “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” (unabridged) by V.E. Schwab 

The top five e-magazines: 

1. The Economist
2. Us Weekly
3. Woman’s World
4. The New Yorker
5. The Week Magazine 

The top five young adult fiction e-books: 

1. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” Harry Potter Series, Book 5 (unabridged) by J.K. Rowling
2. “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” Harry Potter Series, Book 4 (unabridged) by J.K. Rowling 
3. “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” Harry Potter Series, Book 6 (unabridged) by J.K. Rowling 
4. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” Harry Potter Series, Book 7 (unabridged) by J.K. Rowling
5. “A Court of Thorns and Roses” A Court of Thorns and Roses Series, Book 1 (unabridged) by Sarah J. Maas

To checkout digital titles from your local library, readers just need a valid library card.

Library customers are welcome to use their local branches’ Wi-Fi hotspot, computers, and laptop kiosks during library hours.

For more information about library services, visit HCPLC.org.

Published December 28, 2022