March 28, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Los Angeles Public Library patrons borrowing more digital items than ever before

Circulation numbers have increased nearly 70 percent in 2014 over the previous year, according to Mayor Garcetti. (Thinkstock)
Circulation numbers have increased nearly 70 percent in 2014 over the previous year, according to Mayor Garcetti. (Thinkstock)

Los Angeles Public Library patrons are borrowing more digital books, music and videos than ever before, with circulation numbers shooting up nearly 70 percent in 2014 over the previous year, Mayor Eric Garcetti said today.

The most popular digital media items in circulation last year included the thriller mystery novel “Gone Girl” and the soundtrack for the Pixar animated film “Frozen,” while the “The Lego Movie” was the most borrowed video by online patrons.

A total of 2 million digital media items were checked out last year, up 69 percent from the previous year, according to the mayor. In comparison, 15 million books, magazines, music and videos were checked out from 73 physical library locations in 2014.

Library officials said the jump in digital circulation could be due to the LAPL’s expanded media collection, as well as more awareness and growing comfort with the medium by the general public.

City Librarian John F. Szabo said he was “proud of our extensive digital resources and the tremendous response from Angelenos across the city who are increasingly downloading” items from the library’s digital shelves.

Garcetti said he wants “to make sure our libraries keep up with how literature and information are consumed in the 21st century so that they remain as key centers for community and learning.”

E-books saw a 72 percent increase, from about 513,000 checked out in 2013 to 885,000 in 2014. Audio books grew by 69 percent, from about 191,000 to 322,000.

Borrowing of videos, which include movies and television, was up 111 percent, going from about 6,000 checked out in 2013 to 13,000 in 2014.

Streaming music, introduced in November 2013, had grown 600 percent as of the end of 2014, from 15,262 items to 102,147.

Some library branches are also making digital equipment available to patrons. The Palms Rancho Park branch library has iPads that can be checked out, and Nook tablets are available to be loaned out at the Panorama City and Sun Valley branches. The downtown Central Library also loans out laptops and tablets that can be used on the premises.

The library’s other online offerings include live homework assistance, 800 online classes and special collections.

Related Posts

Cantonese Dim Sum Master Chef Tony Opens Hollywood Dim Sum at TCL Chinese Theatre

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Experience Exquisite Dim Sum Creations in the Heart of Hollywood 97 years after its founding, the TCL Chinese Theatre will...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Attorney for Sean “Diddy” Combs Denounces Investigation as “Witch Hunt”

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Legal Representative Criticizes Probe Amid Federal Sex Trafficking Inquiry An attorney representing Sean “Diddy” Combs criticized the investigation into the...

Culver City Police Department to Conduct High Visibility Traffic Enforcement Operation

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Operation Targets Hazardous Traffic Violations on the West End The Culver City Police Department announced plans to conduct a high...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....

Human Rights Campaign’s Los Angeles Dinner Celebrates LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Unity

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Notable Figures Gathered to Champion LGBTQ+ Rights and Combat Discrimination By Aneesha Pappy  The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s...

California Bars and Nightclubs Must Offer Drug Testing Devices Starting July 1

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

New Law Mandates License Holders to Provide Drug Testing Kits to Patrons Beginning July 1, establishments with Type 48 licenses...

Opinion: West Los Angeles Needs to Care about Veteran Homelessness

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

By Kelly Kravchuk  Veteran homelessness is a public health concern that impacts my West Los Angeles community. As a USC...

Culver City City Council Recap: Bruce Lee Alley, Historical Discrimination Study, Women’s History Month

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Council Deliberates on Racial Equity, Infrastructure Upgrades, and Fire Department Strategic Plan The Culver City Council convened its latest session...

Federal Agents Raid Property Linked to Music Mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs In Holmby Hills

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

Authorities Conduct Searches in Los Angeles as Part of Ongoing Sex Trafficking Probe Federal agents from the Department of Homeland...

Biden Signs Government Funding Bill with Ban on Pride Flags at Embassies

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

White House Vows Repeal Amid Controversy Over LGBTQ Provision President Biden signed a huge government funding package on Saturday, which...

Staples Store in Westchester Could Become a Senior Housing Complex

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

Redevelopment Plans Unveiled for Property Near LAX The current site of a Staples retail store near Los Angeles International Airport...

City of Los Angeles Pays Nearly Half a Billion in Liability Claims Over Four Years

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

LA Controller’s Report Reveals Significant Payouts from General Fund LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia has continued to audit the City...