Since its launch in 2007, usage of Tennessee READS has grown every year. Last year, 121 public library systems surpassed one million checkouts worldwide. Of these, READS was the fifth highest library system for total digital circulation.
Tennessee READS is a free service available at local public libraries statewide participating in the Tennessee Regional Library System. The system is part of the Tennessee State Library & Archives, a division of the Department of State.
Tennessee READS is supported by state and federal funds. In 2020, Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly provided additional funding, increasing READS’ overall budget by 12.5%. This funding was used to develop the online catalog of READS.
“We want to thank Governor Lee and members of the General Assembly for helping us provide free access to entertaining and educational online resources for the people of Tennessee,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “We are proud to have passed the five million case milestone and to see the popularity of the READS program continue to grow.”
Last year’s record number of cases was pulled by Tennessee’s 13 libraries with more than 100,000 cases via the Tennessee READS
Regional Library System branches with more than 100,000 Tennessee READS checkouts in 2021:
Williamson County Public Library – 269,845
Linebaugh Public Library – 264,929
Blount County Public Library – 221 728
Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library – 179,860
Johnson City Public Library – 159,810
John P. Holt Brentwood Library – 143,761
Kingsport Public Library and Archives – 143,279
Cleveland Bradley County Public Library – 133,939
Art Circle Public Library – 116,611
Hendersonville Public Library – 112,517
Germantown Community Library – 111,971
Putnam County Library – 109,376
Spring Hill Public Library – 105,971
Tennessee READS offers an extensive catalog of over 275,000 copies of fiction and nonfiction titles, including mystery, biography and autobiography, fantasy, children’s, young adult, magazine, video and more. In 2021, READS’ most streamed genre was romance. New popular titles are added every month.
Last year, the most circulated ebook title was the four winds by Kristin Hannah. The most circulated non-fiction e-book title was nomadland by Jessica Bruder. The most streamed fiction and non-fiction audiobooks last year were Where the Crawdads Sung by Delia Owens and Green light by Matthew McConaughey, respectively.
Top 5 eBook titles borrowed via Tennessee READS in 2021:
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
A Time for Mercy by John Grisham
Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks
The Star Giver by Jojo Moyes
Nomadland by Jessica Bruder
Top 5 audiobook titles borrowed via Tennessee READS in 2021:
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter
Cold Mourning by Brenda Chapman
The Queen’s Gambit by Walter Tevis
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
Through the award-winning Libby app, Tennesseans can access the READS collection anytime with an active library card from any public library in the regional library system or by using their phone number.
In the Libby app, users can browse the extensive READS catalog of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and other digital media, instantly borrow titles, and start reading, listening, or watching for free. Digital content can be downloaded or streamed to any personal computer, smartphone, tablet or e-reader. Securities expire automatically at the end of the loan period with no late fees.
To learn more or to get started using Tennessee READS, visit reads.overdrive.com or download the free Libby app from the App Store or Google Play.
