It’s been a busy year of borrowing at Bethlehem Public Library, but some items went out more than others. We’ve tallied up some of the most-loved loans of 2019, broken down by category and based on the number of times those items were checked out.
The most borrowed novel of 2019 was the atmospheric bestseller “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens. In the non-fiction category, the most borrowed book was Michelle Obama’s memoir “Becoming,” which was also the top circulating audiobook of the year.
The most borrowed DVD was “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which focused on the life and times of Queen singer Freddie Mercury. The CD in our collection that went out the most in 2019 was Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton,” with its catchy tunes and tie-in with the travelling production that made a stop at Proctors in 2019.
Our Library of Things continued to grow in 2019, adding guitar effects pedals, trail camera kits and more. Technically, the most borrowed items from this collection over the past year were WiFi hotspots and laptops, but the Nintendo Switch was tops in things borrowed strictly for entertainment. Our most popular museum pass in 2019 was to MiSci in Schenectady.
People magazine was the most borrowed magazine in 2019 in both its physical and digital form. (Us Weekly came in a close second in the eMagazine category.)
It was a clean sweep in the e-book category with Bethlehem patrons borrowing Marie Kondo’s “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing” more than any other title. In the e-audiobook category, “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt was tops.
Bethlehem’s most borrowed YA book of 2019 was Jarrett Krosoczka’s “Hey, Kiddo,” a memoir about growing up in a family struggling with addiction. Younger kids were eager to follow Dog Man on his next adventure, making “Brawl of the Wild” by Dav Pilkey the year’s most borrowed children’s book.
We can’t wait to see what’s popular in 2020!
Chill with Kanopy
Hey, parents! Kanopy Kids can be your secret boredom-busting weapon this winter break. The streaming video service for Bethlehem cardholders offers a wide selection age-appropriate, thoughtful entertainment for your children, like PBS classics “Super Why,” shows based on popular storybooks and full-length films.
Kanopy digital content can be streamed from any computer, television, mobile device or platform by downloading the Kanopy app for iOS, Android, AppleTV, Chromecast or Roku. To get started, click on the eContent graphic on the library’s home page at www.bethlehempubliclibrary or visit bethpl.kanopy.com.
Holiday Hours
The library will be close at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, and remain closed Wednesday, Jan. 1, for New Year’s Day. We’re always open online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
Storm warnings
In the event of inclement weather, the library’s telephone system will provide information on a closing or delayed opening. Weather conditions can occasionally cause icing near the entrances that could lead to closure even when the town roadways are clear. Call ahead at (518) 439-9314 if you are unsure. Information may also be available on our website at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
— Kristen Roberts
