The NYPL has released their top 10 list of most checked out books ever. While they release year-end lists annually, this is their first time looking back at book popularity spanning their 125-year history. The project was tackled by "a team of experts" who looked at a series of factors, including "historic checkout and circulation data, overall trends, popularity, length of time in print, and presence in the Library catalog." (Their evaluation included e-books, as well.)
Following their analysis, they pointed out that shorter books lead to more turnover, which is why you'll see a lot of children's books in the list. And current events impact checkouts as well — "1984 and Fahrenheit 451 see spikes in circulation depending on what’s happening in the world, and have currently seen increased popularity due to the rise of dystopian fiction, particularly in teen books." In January 2017, the NYPL ran out of copies of 1984 and had to order more.
1. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
485,583 checkouts
2. The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
469,650 checkouts
3. 1984 by George Orwell
441,770 checkouts
4. Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
436,016 checkouts
5. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
422,912 checkouts
6. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
337,948 checkouts
7. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
316,404 checkouts
8. How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
284,524 checkouts
9. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
231,022 checkouts
10. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
189,550 checkouts
There's an honorable mention for Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, and it's believed that beloved book would have made the list if it weren't for one "extremely influential children’s librarian... Anne Carroll Moore disliked the story so much when it was published in 1947 that the Library didn’t carry it until 1972."
They've also released a special MetroCard and new limited edition library card, both featuring The Snowy Day, and all part of the kick-off of their year-long 125th anniversary celebration. (Existing library cardholders can get the new card for a $1 donation). The MetroCard will be available all week at the following stations:
Grand Central – 42nd St (S,4,5,6,7)
42nd St Bryant Park (B,D,F,M)
34th St Penn Station (1,2,3)
59th St Columbus Circle (A,B,C,D)
3rd Ave – 149th St (2,5)
St. George Terminal (Staten Island Railway)
Broadway-Lafayette St (B,D,F,M)
125th St (4,5,6)
Jay St MetroTech (A,C,F,R)
Sutphin Blvd. Archer Ave (E,J,Z)
