NC Kids Digital Library sees 1 million digital book checkouts, a 60% increase, during pandemic

The North Carolina Public Library Directors Association launched the NC Kids Digital Library in 2017 so kids, primarily in kindergarten to fourth grades, could access reading materials, according to a press release. It's the first statewide digital children's library in the United States thanks to a $200,000 appropriation from the North Carolina General Assembly. The digital library started offering mostly fiction to help foster a love of reading. But as partnerships between libraries and schools grew, it began offering more nonfiction books.

“We are excited about NC Kids Digital Library joining the Million Checkout Club because it represents thousands of young readers across North Carolina who have benefited from this statewide e-book initiative,” said Jennifer Sackett, director of Lincoln County Public Library, in a press release. “Having a resource like NC Kids Digital Library that promotes literacy and education has been a lifeline, especially at a time when access to many resources has been limited and traditional education has been replaced by remote learning. We appreciate the General Assembly and Governor working with North Carolina's public libraries to expand access to quality resources for all children.”

In what will come as no shock to parents of young readers, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," by Jeff Kinney was the highest-circulating title that readers borrowed in 2020. The top-circulating genre was comics and graphic novels.

Here are some other popular titles, according to the press release.

5. "Five Little Pumpkins" by James Dean

5. "Dino-Racing" by Lisa Wheeler