Digital checkouts in Fort Worth’s city libraries will likely exceed those of physical materials for the first time, as the library continues its efforts to expand usage outside of regular operating hours and brick-and-mortar facilities, the staff told members of the Fort Worth Library Advisory Board Feb. 5.
“It’s on the verge of tipping,” Theresa Davis, communications manager for the Fort Worth Public Library, told board members.
Theresa Davis, communications manager for the Fort Worth Public Library, reported digital checkouts surpassed physical checkouts in December 2025 at the library advisory board meeting Feb. 5, 2026, at the Northwest branch. (Patrick Banis for the Fort Worth Report)
In 2025, the city’s public library system saw the highest level of checkouts in its history, tied to the growth in digital media, which experienced 10% year-over-year growth. The library had a total 4.345 million checkouts, including more than 2 million digital, the staff said in previewing the library’s 2025 Annual Report, published later in the month.
Libby, an app that allows patrons to read books and listen to audiobooks checked out online, has helped lead the surge in digital usage, the staff said.
Checkouts of digital materials totaled 172,084 in November, compared to 178,081 for physical materials, the staff said. In December, checkouts of digital materials were 181,702, compared to 167,084 for physical materials, the first month digital checkouts exceeded those of physical materials in the library’s history, the staff said. January’s numbers were headed in the same direction, the staff said.
The digital usage is a sustained shift, and serves people with long commutes, irregular work schedules, caregiving responsibilities and limited transportation choices, the staff said.
“The library’s current strategic plan has helped guide major decisions, with the overarching theme being that we want to reduce barriers to accessing the library’s resources and services,” Midori Clark, the library’s director, told board members.
Fort Worth Library Advisory Board meeting
Documenter names: Patrick Banis, Stacy Brookman and Cynthia Cordial
Date: Feb. 5, 2026
To see more about this meeting, click here.
Patrick Banis, Stacy Brookman and Cynthia Cordial are members of the Fort Worth Report Documenters crew.
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