Chattanooga Celebrates Reading with a Spotify-Inspired Year-End Review
Chattanooga has something exciting to share for book lovers in 2024! The city’s beloved public library has jumped on the bandwagon inspired by the popular music streaming platform Spotify, giving us a delightful year in review called *Wrapped*. This year, the Chattanooga Public Library has gathered some fascinating insights into what our community has been reading, and trust us, you won’t want to miss these highlights!
Cool Data Dive
So, how did the library uncover these top reads? Well, it started a couple of years ago when the library decided to dig deeper into its collection data. According to Carol Green, the library’s manager of collection services, this involved extensive analysis of circulation statistics and collection trends that shed light on the unique preferences of each library branch. Instead of simply guessing what books local readers might want, the library now bases its purchases on hard data. Green explains, “We purchase books that Chattanooga wants to read, rather than me sitting in my office, trying to guess.” How refreshing!
The Book Buzz in 2024
Now, let’s dive into the juicy details of what the people of Chattanooga devoured this year! Buckle up, bookworms, because here are the top five adult books that made waves:
- The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store
- Lessons in Chemistry
- The Secret
- Tom Lake
- Demon Copperhead
And when it comes to authors, the stage was dominated by some big names:
- James Patterson
- Danielle Steele
- Sarah J. Maas
- Stephen King
- Agatha Christie
In total, over 193,000 adult books were circulated in 2024. Wow!
Young Adult & Youth Reads
But wait, there’s more! The young adult section packed quite a punch too. Here are the top five young adult books:
- The Lightning Thief
- The Giver
- The Inheritance Games
- Fever, 1793
- Legendborn
Leading the pack among young adult authors were:
- Rick Riordan
- Lois Lowry
- Jennifer Lynn Barnes
- Raina Telgemeier
- Akira Toriyama
With over 29,000 young adult books checked out, it’s evident that teens are diving into the pages!
The youth section, always a hit, showcased some enchanting tales. Here’s what kids loved:
- The Lightning Thief
- If You Go Down to the Woods Today
- Cornbread and Poppy
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
- The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza
As for the top youth authors? They were:
- Mary Pope Osborne
- Dav Pilkey
- Geronimo Stilton
- Jeff Kinney
- Lauren Tarshis
And can you believe it? A whopping 198,000 youth books were circulated this year!
More Than Just Books
But wait, there’s even more! The library’s Wrapped included interesting stats on items beyond books. They circulated over 228,000 easy reader books, 900 family passes, and even saw some nifty adventure tools with 975 circulated from the tool library. Did you know the most popular family pass was for the Hunter Museum of American Art? It beat out the Chattanooga Zoo and Tennessee Aquarium!
Understanding Readers
This data not only highlights what people are reading but also helps the library recognize trends and stay ahead when acquiring titles, making sure beloved books are on the shelves before demand skyrockets.
A Library for the New Generation
Both Green and marketing head Christina Sacco emphasize the role of social media in driving circulation. Interestingly, Gen Z is the library’s fastest-growing demographic, showing that younger generations value and utilize the library like never before!
Green captured this notion perfectly, describing Chattanooga readers as “eclectic.” She said, “We have voracious readers who will read anything as long as it’s good.” Well put, wouldn’t you agree?
So there you have it, folks! Chattanooga’s reading journey in 2024 is not only impressive but also incredibly diverse. Whether you’re an adult, a teen, or a child, there’s something magical waiting for you at the library. Grab a book, dive in, and let’s make the coming year even better!
