We know that libraries are cool, and that they check out tons of good books. It’s not the only thing libraries do, but it’s really our brand!
Public libraries in the United States are not too old, but the New York Public Library is one of our older ones – turning 125 years old this year. That is a lot of cataloging records, and books circulated. Let’s admire their books!
“To celebrate, the library dug into its records and calculated a list of the 10 books that have been checked out the most in its history.”
- The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats: 485,583 checkouts
- The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss: 469,650 checkouts
- 1984 by George Orwell: 441,770 checkouts
- Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak: 436,016 checkouts
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: 422,912 checkouts
- Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White: 337,948 checkouts
- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury: 316,404 checkouts
- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie: 284,524 checkouts
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling: 231,022 checkouts
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle: 189,550 checkouts
Wow – I’ve read every book on this list! And you probably have too – there are some really popular books here – just the kind of thing to have in a public library.
At your library, do you have a list of the most commonly circulated books? It would be neat to check on that. And send us a list if you have one!