LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL) set a new record this year as 1.4 million eBooks and digital audiobooks were checked out. 

For some, a physical copy of a book may now be a sense of nostalgia. With mobile devices, many bookworms are reading on their phone or tablets, including Lee Burchfield, director of the Louisville Free Public Library.

“I love the fact that I can have it on my phone; when I'm at work, I can go to lunch, check and read for a few minutes," Burchfield said. "When I get home, I can pick up my tablet, and it's right where I left off."

This year, about 38% of the library system’s total checkouts were through its apps: Libby and Hoopla. These programs allow the user to check out an eBook, audiobook or stream music and other media anytime and anywhere.

This has made it easier for people to access what the library offers, Burchfield said, such as when people may be traveling or when the weather is poor.

“That is a huge equity thing for us: to provide those resources to people 24/7, regardless of what else is going on," Burchfield said. 

Some books, though, such children’s books with many pictures, have a different reading experience to them on digital than in physical form. There are some cases where the digital version just isn’t the same as the hard copy, Burchfield said. 

“Kids love print books," Burchfield said. "They like to turn the pages. They like to [have] that tactile experience of interacting with the book, and I think that's a really important thing for kids." 

According to the LFPL, about 58% of library spending went toward digital materials in the fiscal year 2022-23.

Library cardholders also have access to online learning services such as LinkedIn Learning, educational events with local experts and language learning. 

Anyone who lives, works, owns property or attends school in Jefferson County is eligible to join the library for free.