Digital Library Blog has reported that:

Despite some issues caused by a surge in activity, traffic, checkouts, and new user registration records were smashed over the Christmas holiday–all thanks to eBooks.

For the first time ever, eBooks out-circulated audiobooks at libraries’ ‘Virtual Branch’ websites. Audiobooks are still very popular and increasing in circulation, but this momentum for eBook downloads shows that the format has gone mainstream at libraries.[full article here]

The holiday spike in library checkouts of eBooks is cool, but not unsurprising considering that high-tech gadgetry like eReaders are popular gifts. For sure, people will always want to play with their new toys/tools right away.

I am a little curious at the comparison of eBooks to audio-books. On one hand, it shows the growing demand in the context of a library perennial with a similar level of demand. But, I don’t see this as profoundly revelatory, since eBooks and audio-books are not in really the same niche. It will be more interesting to see over time how the expected erosion of print checkouts by eBooks manifests itself, for instance by comparing demand for titles available in both formats.

Another thing to consider is the one-time (per person) phenomenon of new eReader owners dumping larger quantities of materials onto their new machines. When I get a new mp3 player, I grab as much music as I can from my collection. If I had to check these items out of my library, it would appear as a spike in my music checkouts. I can imagine a similar thing occurring among new eReader users. The rise may not be indicative of regular eBook usage.

Anyways, these are minor criticisms. I will not argue with the reality that eBooks are on the ascendancy. Stats releases like this are tantalizing because of the questions they raise. I look forward to seeing what the numbers look like in January, February, etc. and a year from now.

On a personal note: this Boxing Day, I graduated from cell phone to smart phone (Android). Since you can’t fight the future, I’m going to make an effort to test out the eBook readers available for my phone.