According to Statistics Canada, sports and recreational events have seen an increase in revenue since the pandemic as indoor spaces reopen and capacity limitations are reduced. Has this renewed interest meant increased sales or library circulation of Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation titles in the Canadian market so far this year? In this instalment of our Subject spotlight series, we share insights into the sales and library circulation of Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation titles in the third quarter of 2023, with the help of our SalesData and LibraryData services.

Buying Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation

Compared to 2022, the overall sales of Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation titles were down 1% over the entire third quarter. Looking at the graph below, from July to September 2023 sales of Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation increased by 4%. Sales of Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation titles increased by 53% in the third quarter of 2022.

Line graph comparing book sales between July, August, and September 2022 and 2023 in the Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation BISAC category.

These are the BISAC subcategories with the highest year-over-year increase in sales:

Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation / Business Aspects — up 1,237%
Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation / Rock Climbing — up 1,133%
Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation / Volleyball— up 488%

From July to September 2023, the most purchased Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation subcategories were:

Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging — 10% of all Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation sales
Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation / Winter Sports — 9% of all Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation sales
Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation / General — 8% of all Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation sales

Borrowing Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation

From July to September 2023, library loans and renewals of Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation titles were up 52% and 55% respectively from 2022.

In the entire third quarter of 2023 loans decreased by 18%. Renewals for Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation titles from July to September 2023 were down by 8%. In the third quarter of 2022, loans increased by 8% from July to September and renewals were up by 32%.

Line graph comparing book loans and renewals between July, August, and September 2022 and 2023 in the Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation BISAC category.

Which Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation BISAC subcategories were the most popular in Canadian public libraries? From July to September 2023, these subcategories saw the greatest increases in library circulation compared to 2022:

Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation / Cricket — loans up 192% and renewals up 2,600%
Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation / Fencing — loans up 160% and renewals up 900%
Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation / Business Aspects — loans up 330% and renewals up 255%

During the third quarter of 2023, the most circulated Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation subcategories were:

Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation / Winter Sports — 13% of all Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation loans and 10% of all Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation renewals;
Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging — 9% of all Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation loans and 8% of all Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation renewals
Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation / Water Sports — 7% of all Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation loans and 9% of all Non-Fiction / Sports & Recreation renewals