Objective: Reading from an early age is beneficial for child development; however, the COVID-19 pandemic drastically reduced access to printed reading resources due to school and library closures. Our objective was to compare youth digital library usage prior to and during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data were obtained on OverDrive eBook and audiobook checkouts in Nassau County, New York from March-August 2019 and March-August 2020. Total change in eBook and audiobook checkouts, stratified into 128 genres, was measured using a Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. Chi-squared tests were used to compare 2019 and 2020 data for each individual genre to all other genres, to compare Fiction and Nonfiction genres, and to measure change in target audience within Fiction and Nonfiction genres. Results: Genre-stratified digital checkouts increased from 12,477 in 2019 to 20,560 in 2020 (V = 290, p < 0.001). Genres with the largest increase included Beginning Reader (413%; 𝜒2 = 2065, p < 0.001), Picture Book Fiction (493%; 𝜒2 = 4193, p < 0.001), and Picture Book Nonfiction (559%; 𝜒2 = 197, p < 0.001). Preferences shifted from Adult to Youth titles (p < 0.001). Conclusion: An overall increase in digital checkouts was observed, with a shift from Adult to Youth titles between 2019 and 2020. Pediatricians should be aware of digital library resources in order to better inform patients of safe ways to use the library during continued and future times of health crises and school closures, as reading is fundamental for child development.

Nelson Chow is a sophomore concentrating in Molecular Biology with a certificate in the Global Health Program. On campus he is the Vice-President of the Asian American Student Association, the Co-Chair of the Civic Leadership Council at Pace, and a member of the Sailing Club.