Hamilton public library hits 'record-breaking' 1 million digital book check outs

Hamilton Public Library (HPL) says it'shitone million digital book checkouts in 2020.

It's a"record-breaking" number, according to the library, and further evidence of the importance of eBooks and eAudiobooks.

That's especially trueduring the COVID-19 pandemic, when staff have seen the use of HPL'sdigital offerings, which can be accessed through OverDrive's Libby reading app, skyrocket.

Lisa Weaver, the library's director of collections, credited Hamiltonians with hitting the milestone two months earlier than expected.

"Hamilton is a city of readers!" she saidin a media release.

"In 2020, library members also asked for more Canadian authors, Indigenous titles and diverse voices for youth and adults. We look forward to working with OverDrive and Hamilton readers to keep Hamilton reading in 2021."

Here's a look at the 10 most-borrowedeBook titles in Hamilton this year:

1. Moon of the Crusted Snow: A Novelby Waubgeshig Rice
2. Becomingby Michelle Obama
3. Where the Crawdads Singby Delia Owens
4. Nine Perfect Strangers: A Novelby Liane Moriarty
5. Past Tense: A Jack Reacher Novelby Lee Child
6. The Handmaid's Taleby Margaret Atwood
7. The Reckoning: A Novelby John Grisham
8. Blue Moon: Jack Reacher Series, Book 24by Lee Child
9. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: Harry Potter Series, Book 1* by JK Rowling
10. The Guardians: A Novelby John Grisham

Popularcategories include mystery, romanceand books for children and young adults, according to the library.

HPL says it's one of 75 public library systems around the world that's on track to surpass one million checkouts by the end of the year.

Anyone who lives, works or studies in Hamilton is able to register for a library card and can use most major devices, including Apple, Android and Chromebook products to read and listen online.