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I recently wrote about the welcome fact that in 2019, more Americans went to the library than to the movies. At a time when the 2021 US budget seeks to eliminate funding for libraries, this is wonderful news indeed. But what books do library patrons check out?
Ron Charles has explored this very question. As he reports in the Washington Post, The New York Public Library has just released the titles of the 10 most checked-out books in its 125-year history. Bestsellers may offer a snapshot of passing fads, but this remarkable list compiled from more than a century of circulation data is like a literary cardiogram of the nation’s beating heart.
The 10 most checked-out books in the New York Public Library’s history
- “The Snowy Day,” by Ezra Jack Keats (1962)
- “The Cat in the Hat,” by Dr. Seuss (1957)
- “1984,” by George Orwell (1949)
- “Where the Wild Things Are,” by Maurice Sendak (1963)
- To Kill a Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee (1960)
- “Charlotte’s Web,” by E.B. White (1952)
- “Fahrenheit 451,” by Ray Bradbury (1953)
- “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” by Dale Carnegie (1936)
- “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” by J.K. Rowling (1997)
- “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” by Eric Carle (1969)
Interestingly, the list of books most frequently checked out of the New York Public Library is dominated by titles for children, particularly picture books. There’s a practical reason for that: Shorter books get returned more quickly, which makes greater turnover possible. But that numerical justification can’t obscure the real explanation: for generations, parents have been turning to libraries to satisfy their children’s thirst for stories.
Another outlier is Harry Potter. Given how recently it was published — relative to the library’s 125-year history — it’s magical that “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” appears at No. 9. The youngest — and longest — book on the list, “Harry Potter” is a phenomenon whose influence will be felt for generations.
I’m pleased to say I’ve read most of these! Indeed, Dale Carnegie’s book, the only non-fiction title in the list, has shaped my entire business approach with Istomedia.
How about you?
You can read the full article on the Washington Post website.
No Tom Sawyer? I expected Tom to be high up in the ranking, as also Gone with the wind. But yes, I too have read most of these books, and enjoyed reading some to my daughter when she was a little kid.
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Harry Potter isn’t that big a surprise. Many modern parents grew up on the series, so they take it out to share with their kids. They may even have a previous ‘personal’ copy at home that they don’t want to risk with a child. Kind of curious about why ‘1984’ is there. Has it always been popular or has recent politics caused an increase in interest?
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I think 1984 has always been popular. But it was good to see it there, along with Fahrenheit.
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I’ve never heard of number 1! I wonder if it was published in the UK? Also, number 9 made me chuckle, because the title had to be changed for the US market: it was thought that Americans might not know what a philosopher is! 😉 Cheers, Jon.
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Lol – didn’t know that 😀
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Reblogged this on Wilfred Books and commented:
A rather surprising list from the NYPL!
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It’s nice to see quality books on there. I’ve read them all except the Harry Potter book.
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Oh, wow! Now I wonder how many people may have read none of them except for Harry Potter 😀
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This was an interesting revelation. Judging from how my millennials students revere Harry Potter and how my seventh grade students said Charlotte’s Web is the best book they’ve ever read, I think the list is accurate. I am not surprised to see any of these.
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Nice! I’m waiting for the wee one to grow up a little more so I can read her Charlotte’s Web. Can’t wait!
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Sad to see nothing by Dickens. I have read 3,5, and 7, but none of the others.
Best wishes, Pete.
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The lack of Dickens is probably explained by the fact it’s an American list. I was surprised not to see anything by Twain, though!
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I think Americans need to read more Dickens. 🙂
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I think everyone needs to!
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Reblogged this on beetleypete and commented:
This is an interesting list, from one of America’s biggest libraries.
Many thanks to Nick Rossis for posting it.
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I have read them all and happy to say I have gifted each and every one of these at some point in my life.
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Woot – awesome 😀
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I am somewhat of a book whisperer. I go to thrift stores and books jump out at me to purchase for friends and family.
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Now, that’s a great talent 😀
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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Isn’t the list just fabulous? Made my day! Thank goodness they gave honorary mention to Goodnight Moon. The Nee York librarian didn’t like the book, and refused to carry it at the library until the 1970’s. Terrible! They acknowledged if it had been on the shelves, it would have been #1. Thanks for posting this, Nicholas!
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I didn’t know that! Amazing. How can anyone not like Goodnight Moon?!
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I know! Apparently she ruled the roost at the library. Her approval or disapproval of a book sealed it’s fate. So, Goodnight Moon was not on the shelf of the New York library from 1947 to 1972. That is startling, and sad. Best to you, Nicholas.
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Sounds hopeful, Nicholas! Wish newer titles were checked out too. By the way: Where is the Bible? 😉 Only a joke! Thank you, and have a beautiful weekend! Michael
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Well, newer titles had a lot less time to be checked out. Interesting point about the Bible. Could it be that every house already has one? I honestly don’t know.
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😉 Thank you for this very inteesting information, Nicholas. It is possible that in the US there really is still a Bible in every household. Here in Germany, at least, the Bible is always mentioned first in surveys of reading behaviour. On the other hand, the question arises, as to whether this is also being read here.;
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As a retired children’s librarian, I love the news that more people visited the library last year than the movies! These are all books that would be on my favorite’s list as well. ☺️
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It was great news, indeed 😀
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Reblogged this on By Hook Or By Book and commented:
As a retired children’s librarian, it brings me great pleasure to share this wonderful post from Nicholas!
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I found this post via “By Hook Or By Book” — thanks for sharing this list and your thoughts!
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Many thanks, Janice, and welcome to my blog 🙂
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This speaks to how generations of parents want to share beloved stories with their children.
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How true, Deby! Some things are timeless.
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Reblogged this on Kim's Musings.
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I recently read Losing My Cool, which I got thru inter-library loan (reviewed here: https://mikaelcovey1.blogspot.com/2020/02/hip-hopped-out.html). Today they told me Ben Myers best-seller “Offing” will be in soon.
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Libraries at the best 🙂
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Don’t forget that ‘most read’ might not reflect most useful. When I started amateur filmmaking, my library held a wealth of information that will never make top 10 because me, the local film students and a few stragglers are the people who read that section.
Libraries are too important to let them be eliminated by short-sighted politicians.
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Couldn’t agree more!!!
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Catching up. This is interesting. Love the books on the list, and I definitely love libraries. 🙂
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Same here! I practically grew up in our school library, escaping there whenever I got a chance 🙂
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My second home was the school library. 🙂
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A sister soul, then 🙂
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