eBook Checkouts at Libraries Up 200 Percent in 2010

Libraries and schools worldwide were at the forefront of the eBook boom in 2010, as patrons and students downloaded millions of digital books for iPhone, Android, Sony Reader, NOOK, and personal computers. More than one million new users signed on to access free eBooks, audiobooks, and more from 'Virtual Branch' websites last year, resulting in a 200 percent increase in eBook checkouts and a 52 percent increase in audiobook checkouts over 2009.

Key statistics for library eBooks, audiobooks, and more from OverDrive-powered digital catalogs include:

1. 718 million book and title catalog pages viewed
2. 15 million digital titles checked out
3. 6.6 billion minutes of spoken word audio downloaded
4. 400,000 copyrighted eBook, audiobook, music, and video titles available to libraries

Library users are able to download eBooks over the air directly to their iPhone, iPod touch, and Android tablet or phone, in addition to downloads for PC, Mac, and popular eBook readers. The free OverDrive Media Console apps launched with EPUB eBook support in December 2010 and helped drive new records for library mobile checkouts. OverDrive will release an optimized iPad app with eBook support, as well as BlackBerry, with other platforms in development.