Increased eBook Usage During Public Closure

Increased eBook Usage During Public Closure

It may be of interest to know that we are seeing a big increase in the usage of our eBooks through Overdrive during this period of closure to the public.  During a period of normal operation, our Overdrive active visits hover between the high 300s to low 500s.  And the number of page views has a normal range of low 2000s to high 3000s.  After the library closed to the public, the usage of eBooks within Overdrive had a large increase.  Active visits have been between 605 and 739, while page views have ranged from 4257 to 5861.  This information would indicate that many of our patrons are turning to eBooks during this time of self-confinement. 

However, we are not seeing a substantial increase in the usage of eAudibooks through RB Digital.   The usage of eAudiobooks through RB Digital over the last week has been lower than the two weeks prior.  A possible explanation for this could be that since fewer patrons are commuting at present, they may be accessing eAudiobooks with less frequency.  Patrons who are at home with family may find it more difficult to listen to an eAudiobook with others around in close proximity. 

eAudiobook usage has seen an almost exponential growth over the last several years.  However, the unique circumstances in which we find ourselves appears to be pushing patrons in the direction of eBooks over eAudiobooks.