Capitalising on the latest advances in eBook technology and popular catalogue availability, public libraries saw digital checkouts rise again to record levels in 2014. According to OverDrive, an eBook and audiobook platform for libraries and schools, circulation of eBooks, audiobooks and other digital media increased 33 percent in 2014 to 137 million checkouts, while web traffic and discoverability similarly increased, especially on mobile devices.
The record growth can be attributed to several key factors, including improvements in app design and ease of use, compatibility with more devices such as Chromebook™ and Kindle® in addition to iOS and Android, and the growing catalogue that now includes all of the largest publishers and bestselling titles. In addition, OverDrive Read, the browser-based eBook reader that provides instant access to eBooks without an app, became the fastest growing format and contributed to the record year with growth of 124 percent to nearly 15 million checkouts.
OverDrive's industry-leading catalogue also experienced significant growth in 2014, adding hundreds of thousands of new titles in all formats (eBook, audiobook, music, streaming video, periodicals) to its current level of 2.6 million from 5,000 publishers.
