International library news

Czech library network densest in EU

The Czech library network is the densest in the EU, according to a report in the Prague Post. Of the EU’s 63,000 public libraries, 5408 are in the Czech Republic, which equates to 5.1 libraries per 10,000 inhabitants, compared with the EU’s average of 1.3. According to the National Library of the Czech Republic’s latest annual report, Czech libraries loaned a total of 41.5 million books and other items in 2013. Copyright restrictions previously prevented the loaning of ebooks but around 30 libraries now offer this service with around 2000 titles available. The National Library holds more than seven million books and has more than 30,000 registered readers. 

OverDrive ebook loans reach record levels

Library supplier OverDrive circulated 137 million ebooks, digital audiobooks and other digital media across its international network in 2014—a 33% increase from 2013, reports Library Journal. Ebook circulation increased by 32% percent to 105 million, while digital audiobook circulation grew 38% to 32 million. There were 401 million visits to public library and school library websites powered by OverDrive, marking an overall 77% increase from 2013 and a significant increase in visits via mobile devices. OverDrive attributes its record growth to several key factors, including ‘improvements in app design and ease of use, compatibility with more devices, and a growing catalogue which now includes all of the largest publishers and bestselling titles’. OverDriveRead, a browser-based ebook reader that provides access to ebooks without an app, was its fastest-growing format, registering nearly 15 million checkouts. The top two ebook/audiobook loans through OverDrive were Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn, Hachette) and The Goldfinch (Donna Tartt, Abacus).

Category: Library news