In August 2023, Library Journal and School Library Journal partnered with the Audio Publishers Association (APA) to field a survey about audiobooks in U.S. public libraries. The 490 respondents provided insight into librarian perspectives on format demand, budgeting, licensing terms, and selection influences. Survey questions covered both adult and youth audio collections.

The most significant takeaway is the clear dominance of digital audio over physical audio for both youth and adults. The majority of respondents indicated an increase in digital audio circulation—with many describing the increase as “significant”—and a decrease in physical audio circulation. Even with this circulation shift, more than half of respondents reported having no immediate plans to eliminate physical audio from their collections.

As a share of total library materials budgets, audiobooks continue to hover around 11 percent. Even as funds are reallocated from physical to digital (a reported 12 percent decrease in physical audio spending is offset by a 12 percent increase in digital audio spending), a general trend in spending is not apparent. Large libraries serving populations of 100,000+ are more likely to report increased audio spending than small libraries (serving populations <25,000); however, overall responses are split nearly equally among those reporting an increase in spending, a decrease in spending, or no change in spending.

Patron requests and professional audiobook reviews are key factors influencing library audiobook purchasing decisions. Other influences include the popularity of the print version of a title and the popularity of an author’s previous book(s). For library users, the specific title and its popularity are key factors influencing borrowing. Adult borrowers also take into account the author when making selection decisions, while youth borrowers favor title availability in their decision making. Librarians inferred that audiobook narration plays an important role in a borrower’s decision to finish listening to a particular book. Access the full report here.