For Immediate Release
Growing Library Circulation
MATTOON – The Mattoon Public Library is experiencing dramatic growth in its digital circulation as patrons utilize three different platforms that offer a variety of materials and features.
The library most recently added Hoopla, which features audiobooks, ebooks, movies, TV shows, music and comics.
In recent months the library also added Overdrive, an award-winning service that features ebooks and audiobooks using the Libby app.
The library continues to offer the Cloud library, a collection of ebooks and audiobooks through its relationship with the Illinois Heartland Library System.
“Our digital circulation increased 67 percent in the last three months alone,” said Library Director Carl Walworth. “In February we are on pace to nearly double. Digital circulation since November is running nearly 10 percent of our total circulation and growing.”
The digital increases come at a time the library also is increasing checkouts of new book materials in its 50,000-plus strong collection of fiction, nonfiction, children and young adult titles along with a growing offerings of movies. “We are seeing traffic increase across the board in our facility, utilizing the library in-house collection and in patrons who checkout items remotely,” Walworth said.
Increasing focus on the digital collection stems in part from input received from the Collection Committee of the Library Board of Trustees. As the library researched options, interested community members contributed to help make the services affordable.
All three services are freely available with a library card. With the growing offerings some patrons who reside outside the city limit but within the Mattoon school district are seeing a $75 nonresident card as a money-saving value. Library cards are freely available to residents and property owners in the city limit who financially support the library through their taxes.
Walworth said digital services are increasingly popular in part because there are no returns or late fees. They are accessible from across the country and connect with most devices.
Patrons may borrow from www.overdrive.com web site or download Libby, the award-winning one-tap reading app. Named one of TIME’s best iPhone and Android apps of 2018, Libby seamlessly connects first-time users and experienced readers with popular digital library collections including bestsellers and new releases for all ages with subjects including mystery, romance, children’s business and more.
Hoopla is an all-in-one media service where patrons can browse 500,000+ titles in six different formats—audiobooks, eBooks, comics/graphic novels, full music albums, movies, and TV—and instantly borrow, then download or stream, the titles of your choice! You can access the title you borrow instantly on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. With hoopla, there are no holds or waiting.
Library staff members are available to assist patrons with setting up the apps or to answer any questions.
