Okanagan Regional Library Reaches Record-Breaking 1 Million Digital Book Checkouts in 2022

November 30th, 2022, Kelowna BC, ORL announced today that it reached a record-breaking 1 million digital book checkouts in 2022.  

This milestone illustrates the continued growth and importance of library lending of eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines, as well as the library's success in serving all members of the community.  

ORL is one of 112 public library systems worldwide that received this award for surpassing one million digital checkouts in a calendar year.  

ORL has been providing readers 24/7 access to eBooks and audiobooks for several years through the award-winning Libby app, the library reading app created by OverDrive. The large collection serves readers of all ages and interests, and reader usage has grown every year.  

"We're very proud and grateful to our community of readers for helping us reach this checkout goal!" says library staff.

The highest-circulating title ORL readers borrowed in 2022 was The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah.  

The top-circulating genre, Thrillers, represents the most popular in a vast catalogue that also includes mystery, romance, children/young adult and more.  

The top 5 eBooks borrowed through ORL's digital collection in 2022:  

• The Four Winds, by Kristin Hannah 
• The Judges' List, by John Grisham 
• The Girl in His Shadow, by Audrey Blake 
• The Last Thing He Told Me, by Laura Dave 
• State of Terror, by Louise Penny 

Top 5 eAudiobooks borrowed in 2022: 

• Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens 
• The Four Winds, by Kristin Hannah 
• Five Little Indians, by Michelle Good 
• The Judge's List, by John Grisham 
• Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen 

Top 5 Magazines borrowed in 2022: 

• The Economist 
• Us Weekly 
• HELLO! Magazine 
• Canadian Living 
• Woman's World 

The top 5 Kids' eBooks borrowed in 2022 include: 

• Big Shot: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, by Jeff Kinney
• Good-bye Stacey, Good-bye: The Baby-Sitters Club Graphix Series, by Ann M. Martin
• Perspectives: Cat Kid Comic Club Series, by Dav Pilkey
• Big Nate Makes a Splash, by Lincoln Pierce
• Mothering Heights: Dog Man Series, by Dav Pilkey

The top 5 Kids eAudiobooks borrowed in 2022 include: 

• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J.K. Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by J.K. Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J.K. Rowling
• A Wrinkle In Time, by Madeleine L'Engle
• President of the Whole Fifth Grade, by Sherri Winston

The top 5 Young Adult eBooks borrowed in 2022 include: 

• Shadow and Bone, by Leigh Bardugo
• A Snake Falls to Earth, by Darcie Little Badger
• Heartstopper, Vol. 1, by Alice Oseman
• Heartstopper, Vol. 4, by Alice Oseman
• The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak

The top 5 Young Adult eAudiobooks borrowed in 2022 include: 

• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by J.K. Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by J.K. Rowling
• Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (A Hunger Games Novel), by Suzanne Collins
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J.K. Rowling 
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by J.K. Rowling

Access ORL's vast catalogue of books, eBooks, Audiobooks, eAudiobooks and other materials for free with an ORL Library Pass. To sign up, visit your local ORL library or orl.bc.ca.

Download the Libby app or visit https://orl.overdrive.com to get started borrowing eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines anytime, anywhere.