In celebration of National Library Card Sign-up Month, OverDrive, the digital reading platform for libraries and schools worldwide, released data illustrating the power of quick and easy access to public libraries’ ebook and audiobook collections. OverDrive’s Insta
Instant Digital Cards allow residents in a library’s service area to instantly sign up for a library card in just 30 seconds using only their cell phone number. Since the global pandemic closed library buildings and forced readers to find new ways to access their local library, there has been a huge spike in Instant Digital Card signups. As of August 26, more than 500K Instant Digital Cards have been created in 2020, compared to the 142K created in all of 2019. Ebook and audiobook checkouts from readers using an Instant Digital Card have increased over 400 percent year-over-year to nearly 5 million. More than 77 library systems are currently using the Instant Digital Card program, compared to just 36 in 2019.
“When the pandemic began in earnest in the U.S., the Ohio Digital Library (ODL) enrolled in the Instant Digital Card (IDC) service. ODL has 181 member libraries, many of which did not offer online cards at the time,” said Anne Kennedy, Library Consultant at the State Library of Ohio. “When everyone was scrambling to close their buildings, having IDC allowed our libraries to continue offering services to their patrons. The demand for ebooks and audiobooks has never been higher, and we are proud to have added close to 40,000 new users since March 20th. As of the end of July, the IDC users have checked out over 184,000 titles!”
Readers are encouraged to sign up for a library card – or an Instant Digital Card at participating libraries through Libby – during National Library Card Sign-up Month in September. Book lovers can also join OverDrive for a day of reading in honour of National Read an Ebook Day on September 18.
The Libby app is available from approximately 90 percent of public libraries in North America. Through Libby, users can borrow ebooks, audiobooks, comic books, magazines, cookbooks and more from their local library that are free to download with a valid library card.
To begin borrowing thousands of ebooks and audiobooks from your local library, or to sign up for an Instant Digital Card (in participating libraries), download the Libby app from the App Store or Google Play. For more information, visit www.overdrive.com.
