If you used the Winnipeg Public Library’s digital library this year, you helped it hit an impressive milestone. More than one million items have been checked out digitally so far in what is shaping up to be another record setting year.
We hit the one million mark in October, even though were able to provide more in-person services than in 2020. Statistics includes eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines, as well as streaming music and movies. In 2020, the library had 1,304,847 digital checkouts, which was around 300,000 more than the previous year. We will still have to wait a few months to find out what the final amount for 2021 will be.
“Through all the challenges our city has faced during the pandemic, we’re very happy to continue to provide customers with a valuable service through digital books, audiobooks, movies, and tv shows,” said Barbara Bourrier-LaCroix, Administrative Coordinator of Collections & Borrower Services.
While a wide range of, genres were downloaded, a few proved more popular than the rest.
Bourrier-LaCroix said the 2013 thriller The Hit by David Baldacci has been the most frequently viewed title, at 218 times, in the past 10 months.
Recognizing people are still spending a lot of time at home because of the pandemic, Bourrier-LaCroix said a concerted effort was made to buy additional cookbook, gardening, and home décor titles. We also worked with the digital library companies or vendors to reduce the wait time for some of the most popular titles.
While our library branches are all open for safe browsing, residents are encouraged to consider using the digital library. All services are available 24/7 and are free with a library card. If you don’t have a library card yet, you can apply for a digital one from the comfort of your own home through the library’s website.