--- title: The Top 10 Checkouts of All Time at the New York Public Library description: As it celebrates its 125th anniversary, the New York Public Library system has released its top 10 checkouts of all time. canonical: https://time.com/5763611/new-york-public-library-top-checkouts/ author: Annabel Gutterman article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2020-01-13T15:50:07.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-05-11T04:56:19.617Z article:section: Entertainment og:title: Here Are the 10 Most Borrowed Books of All Time at the New York Public Library og:description: From children's books to dystopian classics og:url: https://time.com/5763611/new-york-public-library-top-checkouts/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt9443a6af49d11eb9/698a08b8656a3f7a49bd9848/NYPL-Top-10-Books.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: New York Public Library Top Checkouts of All Time og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Here Are the 10 Most Borrowed Books of All Time at the New York Public Library twitter:description: From children's books to dystopian classics twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt9443a6af49d11eb9/698a08b8656a3f7a49bd9848/NYPL-Top-10-Books.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Here Are the 10 Most Borrowed Books of All Time at the New York Public Library ## Video: State of the Art: 1984 [Watch (HLS stream): State of the Art: 1984](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/BZu5FVYf.m3u8) (3:02)  _Published 2017-04-05. The crowd at the sold out show at Nitehawk Cinema in New York was there to see a 30-year-old film that suddenly feels new again. 1984._  by [Annabel Gutterman](https://time.com/author/annabel-gutterman/)  ## Annabel Gutterman Senior Editor Jan 13, 2020 3:50 PM UTC  Jonathan Blanc  by [Annabel Gutterman](https://time.com/author/annabel-gutterman/)  ## Annabel Gutterman Senior Editor Jan 13, 2020 3:50 PM UTC As it approaches a [milestone 125th anniversary](https://125.nypl.org/125), the New York Public Library is looking back on its most borrowed books of all time. One of the largest and most iconic public library systems in the U.S., the New York Public Library has 92 locations across the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island. In order to calculate a list of the books with the most checkouts, the library compiled a number of important factors, from circulation data to presence in the library catalog, which [it outlined in more detail on its website](https://125.nypl.org/125/topcheckouts). The books that made the top 10, listed below, range in subject and reading level. Here, the top 10 checkouts of all time at the New York Public Library. ## **10\.** **_The Very Hungry Caterpillar_** **, Eric Carle**  With 189,550 checkouts, this beloved children’s book “is a favorite among librarians and teachers because of its interactive nature and unique format,” the library [notes on its website](https://125.nypl.org/125/topcheckouts). _The Very Hungry_ _Caterpillar_, published in 1969, traces the transformation of a caterpillar, who begins the story hungry, but then starts eating everything as the pages go by. Accompanied by bright and cheery illustrations, this classic is a hit for young readers and, as the library calls it, “a staple for kids learning to read.” **Buy Now**: [_The Very Hungry Caterpillar_](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399226907/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0399226907&linkId=75af654e241ac87563361b49465a97d8) ## 9\. _Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone_, J.K. Rowling  It is no small feat that the first installment in J.K. Rowling’s _Harry Potter_ series made the library’s all-time top checkouts list with 231,022 checkouts. _Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone_ made its U.S. debut in 1998, which meant it was “competing with books that have been on library shelves for decades,” the library writes. The first book in the fantasy series introduced readers of all ages to the magical world of the now legendary boy wizard. Compared to other books on the list, it hasn’t been out for long, but in 10 years, the library expects to see the book “climb much higher.” **Buy Now**: [_Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone_](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0192CTMYG/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0192CTMYG&linkId=6cc5767ed8c86866e31a3ac438b65b48) ## 8\. _How to Win Friends and Influence People_, Dale Carnegie  A self-help book for the masses, Dale Carnegie’s 1936 best-seller offers advice for anyone looking to improve their personal and professional lives. Though the circulation of _How to Win Friends & Influence People_ peaked several years ago, the library writes that “it still generates checkouts as new readers look for the key to friends and influence.” The book, which proposes several tips on how to build strong social relationships, has garnered 284,524 checkouts. **Buy Now**: [_How to Win Friends and Influence People_](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0671027034/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0671027034&linkId=3b4ad6d28cefbde156c6c9ed788097b0) ## 7\. _Fahrenheit 451_, Ray Bradbury  Some readers might recognize this title from their high school English classes. Ray Bradbury’s _Fahrenheit 451_ is centered on a fireman in a dystopian world, where books are burned because they are deemed evil. The 1953 science fiction novel is one of the library’s most popular titles, with 316,404 checkouts. Like other titles on the list, this one “sees spikes in popularity based on current events,” the library reports. **Buy Now:** [_Fahrenheit 451_ ](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1451673310/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1451673310&linkId=81b796c74c2de1de55c6eed997dadd4c) ## 6\. _Charlotte’s Web_, E.B. White  This timeless 1952 story of friendship, fear and loss from E.B. White has amassed 337,948 checkouts at the New York Public Library. _Charlotte’s Web_ pulls in readers from every age as White brings together a pig and a spider who long to be friends despite the pig being the runt of his litter. “No one ever forgets the story,” the library writes. “It’s one that parents often like to share with their children.” **Buy Now:** [_Charlotte’s Web_ ](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061124958/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0061124958&linkId=a067f6518541e05760144789084fdef6) ## 5\. _To Kill a Mockingbird_, Harper Lee  An essential component of modern American literature, the 1961 Pulitzer Prize winner has 422,912 checkouts at the library. _To Kill a Mockingbird_ wrestles with racism, morality and hope, set against the backdrop of 1930s Alabama. The novel has been successful since its publication and, the library writes, it’s “a perennial favorite on high school and middle school reading lists.” **Buy Now**: [_To Kill a Mockingbird_](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060935464/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0060935464&linkId=7354f91c62787d5a1347b53c47727091) ## 4\. _Where the Wild Things Are_, Maurice Sendak  Maurice Sendak’s Caldecott Medal-winning 1963 picture book encourages readers to use their imaginations in order to deal with their feelings. _Where the Wild Things_ Are, which has 436,016 checkouts, follows the misunderstood Max as he invents a magical world of beasts in his bedroom. The library notes that the artwork of the book is particularly captivating, “which is why, all these years later, Max still reigns.” **Buy Now**: [_Where the Wild Things Are_](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060254920/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0060254920&linkId=9d2259c38a6dbebedeb76793ed3bb896) ## **3\.** **_1984_** **, George Orwell**  The highest number of checkouts for an adult book on the library’s list belongs to George Orwell’s iconic dystopian hit. _1984_, which comes in third with 441,770 checkouts, examines a bleak society where government surveillance and war loom large. “Its universal appeal and relatively short length make it both popular and a quick read,” the library writes. **Buy Now**: [_1984_](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451524934/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0451524934&linkId=36d827c9a10fbd61b502df0dc4fcbc5c) ## **2\.** **_The Cat_** **_in the Hat_** **, Dr. Seuss**  “Of all the books on this list, this book is perhaps most ingrained in the zeitgeist—a perennial first checkout, or birthday party or baby shower gift,” the library writes. _The Cat in the Hat_ focuses on a pair of very bored siblings who find their mundane day interrupted by a mischievous cat. Dr. Seuss’ classic picture book was published in 1957 and has been a hit ever since—it has been checked out of the library 469,650 times. Buy Now: [_The Cat in the Hat_](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/039480001X/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=039480001X&linkId=7d9930178ac550dae764b58f6ca167dc) ## 1\. _The Snowy Day_, Ezra Jack Keats  The book with the most checkouts from the New York Public Library is the simple but delightful journey of a small boy enjoying a snowy day. “It’s all about the story—and how the brilliantly told tale of Peter and his wintry adventure transcends generations,” the library writes of Ezra Jack Keats’ _The Snowy Day_. Published in 1962, the book has 485,583 checkouts and is one of the library’s top circulated books each year, across all the neighborhoods it serves. **Buy Now**: [_The Snowy Day_](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140501827/ref=as%5Fli%5Fqf%5Fasin%5Fil%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=time-books-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0140501827&linkId=1f35ea70fc5ac74d36870036cbb0cc86) ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5763611/new-york-public-library-top-checkouts/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5763611/new-york-public-library-top-checkouts/"},"headline":"Here Are the 10 Most Borrowed Books of All Time at the New York Public Library","datePublished":"2020-01-13T15:50:07.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-11T04:56:19.617Z","description":"As it celebrates its 125th anniversary, the New York Public Library system has released its top 10 checkouts of all time.","url":"https://time.com/5763611/new-york-public-library-top-checkouts/","keywords":["Books"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt9443a6af49d11eb9/698a08b8656a3f7a49bd9848/NYPL-Top-10-Books.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Annabel Gutterman","jobTitle":"Senior Editor","url":"https://time.com/author/annabel-gutterman/"}],"articleSection":"Entertainment","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt9443a6af49d11eb9/698a08b8656a3f7a49bd9848/NYPL-Top-10-Books.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"New York Public Library Top Checkouts of All Time","caption":"NYPL Top 10 Checkouts","creditText":"Jonathan Blanc","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/entertainment/","name":"Entertainment"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/books/","name":"Books"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/5763611/new-york-public-library-top-checkouts/","name":"Here Are the 10 Most Borrowed Books of All Time at the New York Public Library"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) Official Trailer","description":"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) Official Trailer","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/VTiOZu6J/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2020-01-14T14:12:35.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/VTiOZu6J.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/5763611/new-york-public-library-top-checkouts/","duration":"PT2M16S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/5763611/new-york-public-library-top-checkouts/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"State of the Art: 1984","description":"The crowd at the sold out show at Nitehawk Cinema in New York was there to see a 30-year-old film that suddenly feels new again. 1984.","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/BZu5FVYf/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2017-04-05T05:16:28.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/BZu5FVYf.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/5763611/new-york-public-library-top-checkouts/","duration":"PT3M2S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/5763611/new-york-public-library-top-checkouts/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```