Wisconsin’s Digital Library, together with OverDrive, announces that they have set a new record for lending digital books in 2016.
Wisconsin’s Digital Library, established in 2001 and funded by the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium, is a shared, state-wide collection of ebooks, audiobooks, and streaming video available for free to all Wisconsin public library card holders, including Merrill’s T.B. Scott Free Library.
In 2016, Wisconsin’s Digital Library’s use grew 11%, as 3,900,000 eBooks, audiobooks, and streaming video items were borrowed from the library’s OverDrive-powered collection, including 15,447 items requested by T.B. Scott Free Library patrons.
Besides Wisconsin’s Digital Library, only Toronto, Canada, King County, Washington (Seattle), Phoenix, Arizona, and an Ohio statewide consortium borrowed more than 3 million digital books in 2016.
Wisconsin’s Digital Library has been successful because of a robust collection, curated lists, and personalized recommendations that have engaged more readers and connected them with their next great read.
The library has also demonstrated ongoing success in marketing efforts to reach more of their community with specialized sections for kids and teens and multi-lingual website interfaces.
Library users in Wisconsin, including T.B. Scott Library card holders, can access digital books from Wisconsin’s Digital Library with a library card and any major computer or device, including iOS®, Android™, Chromebook™, Kindle® (U.S. only) and the highest-rated eBook app for libraries, OverDrive. Click on the Overdrive link at tbscottlibrary.org, or go to http://dbooks.wplc.info to borrow eBooks and audiobooks anytime, anywhere.