Edmonton Public Library Sees High Demand for Popular Books

The Edmonton Public Library (EPL) is experiencing a surge in demand for its book collection, with certain titles commanding hundreds of holds. As the library continues to serve thousands of patrons, the popularity of various books highlights reading trends within the community. According to collection librarian Beth Kilfoy, popular titles can result in significant wait times for readers.

EPL aims for a hold ratio of five requests for every physical copy of a book. This often translates to a wait of approximately three to five months for some of the most sought-after titles. Currently, the top print books with the highest number of holds include:

– **Dog Man: Big Jim Believes** by Dav Pilkey (796 holds)
– **Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Partypooper** by Jeff Kinney (594 holds)
– **The Only Plane in the Sky** by Virginia Roberts Giuffre (adult non-fiction)
– **The Da Vinci Code** by Dan Brown (adult fiction)
– Works by authors Souvankham Thammavongsa and Richard Osman also feature prominently in the holds list.

Kilfoy noted that it is encouraging to see that the top two physical book holds are in children’s fiction. She emphasized the importance of fostering a love for reading among young people, stating, “Children’s materials circulate super well in our collection. We love seeing kids reading.”

The library has also witnessed a notable increase in digital reading. To date, EPL has recorded over 10.8 million digital holds and more than 22.9 million digital loans since the inception of its digital collection. In November alone, the library reported over 5,100 holds for digital books. Patrons can access a live feed of hold circulations for their OverDrive/Libby collections online.

The most popular eBooks with the highest number of holds include:

– **The 5 Second Rule** by Mel Robbins (adult non-fiction)
– Works by Andy Weir, Colleen Hoover, and Emily Henry (adult fiction)
– Notably, books by Dan Brown and John Grisham are also among the most requested.

Kilfoy explained that the lists for eBooks and audiobooks often differ, with audiobooks typically featuring more non-fiction titles. With the rise of podcast consumption, audiobooks have become an increasingly popular format among readers. The top audiobooks with the most holds include:

– **The Righteous Mind** by Jonathan Haidt (adult non-fiction)
– Works by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Emily Henry, and Kristin Hannah (adult fiction)
– Other notable authors include James Clear and Virginia Roberts Giuffre, both of whom have multiple titles on the holds list.

Kilfoy reflected on the growing popularity of digital content, stating, “E content has been growing in popularity my whole career. It definitely had a big spike during the pandemic when customers could only access our collections virtually for several months at a time.”

The data about physical book holds was collected as of November 25, while the statistics for eBooks and audiobooks are current as of December 1. As the EPL continues to adapt to the changing landscape of reading, it remains committed to providing a diverse range of options for all patrons. Whether in print or digital format, the library offers thousands of choices for Edmontonians eager to explore new stories.