Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Salt Lake County Library ranks in the top 10 for U.S. checkouts.
- Residents checked out over 12.5 million items in 2024, showcasing reading enthusiasm.
- Top adult books included "Fourth Wing," "The Women," and "A Court of Thorns and Roses."
SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake County residents used their free library cards to check out more than 12.5 million items from the county library in 2024. That makes the library system one of the top 10 highest circulating libraries in the U.S., per its announcement Monday.
"We serve a county that is passionate about reading and learning and fulfilling those needs for our residents is very rewarding," said Christa Warren, Salt Lake County Library senior manager of collections, in a written statement. "We're proud of the way we've delivered great materials to our patrons and thrilled to be one of the top circulating libraries in the country."
The library system includes 18 branches, two reading rooms and also makes books available at the Salt Lake County Jail.
The library provides patrons with a number of services, from book loans to programs, homework help, language learning and programs that promote STEM and creativity.
The Salt Lake County Library website recently highlighted offerings including a reading and book signing with author Marc J. Gregson, the availability while supplies last of activity kits focusing on animals in winter, animal scavenger hunts at different libraries for the chance to win small prizes, open playtime for toddlers, beginner's yoga, a blood drive, a magic show, Kids Cafe at several locations, the chance to play Dungeons & Dragons and other activities.
The modern library is now often a venue for events, including discussions, exhibits and lectures.
What Salt Lake County residents read
As for books, what books were Salt Lake County residents checking out in 2024?
For adults, the top three titles were:
- "Fourth Wing," by Rebecca Yarros
- "The Women," by Kristin Hannah
- "A Court of Thorns and Roses," by Sarah J. Maas
The most popular teen titles:
- "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," by Suzanne Collins
- "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," by J.K. Rowling
- "The Lightning Thief," by Rick Riordan
Most popular kids titles were:
- "Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea," by Dav Pilkey
- "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot," by Jeff Kinney
- "Fablehaven," by Brandon Mull
The American Library Association said there are nearly 125,000 libraries of all kinds in the United States, including more than 98,000 school libraries. They are believed to employ close to 370,000 people.
