Top PEI library picks for 2022

image of some books on a table and rows of books in a library in the background

This past year was an exciting year for PEI Public Library Services. The new Charlottetown Library Learning Centre opened, hours expanded at Kensington Heritage Library, the Library of Things collection grew significantly, and Islanders borrowed over a half million items from the library system.

Taking top spot as the most borrowed book for 2022 was The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny.

“Our Island libraries are committed to helping children and adults develop a love of reading and learning. Library activities grew throughout 2022, and more Islanders than ever accessed free materials, programming, resources and community connections.”

- Education and Lifelong Learning Minister Natalie Jameson.

Here are the top library items Islanders borrowed in 2022:

Top Adult Fiction Book – The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny
Top Adult Non-Fiction Book – Indian in the Cabinet by Jody Wilson-Raybould
Top DVD – Jungle Cruise
Top Children's Book – Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley's Journal by Jeff Kinney
Top French Book – Totalement givré! - Jeff Kinney
Top Adult Fiction eAudiobook – Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
Top Adult Fiction eBook – Meant to Be by Emily Giffin
Top Adult Non-Fiction eAudiobook – Will by Will Smith
Top Adult Non-Fiction eBook – Will by Will Smith

“Today's libraries are more than just books. Libraries are community hubs, where our dedicated staff support Islanders with a full range of items, programs and services. They also provide virtual resources and programs online through various platforms,” added Minister Jameson.

Online collections continue to grow in popularity, with 142,627 eAudiobooks and eBooks borrowed through the libraries in 2022. Downloadable ebooks and audiobooks from OverDrive, interactive children's stories from TumbleBooks, and Ancestry Library Edition, are available to all library members. Membership is free to anyone living in PEI.

There are 25 public libraries across the province where Islanders can borrow books, DVDs and other materials, access the Internet and enjoy a variety of free programs.

For a full list of libraries and hours of operation, visit: Libraries and Archives.

Media contact
Rebecca Gass
Senior Communications Officer
rjgass@gov.pe.ca

General Inquiries

Department of Education and Early Years
Holman Centre
Suite 101, 250 Water Street
Summerside, PE C1N 1B6

Phone: 902-438-4130
Fax: 902-438-4062

DeptEEY@gov.pe.ca