Library Visits Rise Amid Budget Strain

Public libraries across the country are seeing a measurable jump in activity as residents look for ways to stretch their dollars.

Izzy Rivera, a resident of Topeka, Kan., checks out at least one book per week. She is saving money for law school and has cut back on non-essential expenses. Rivera recently attended a used book sale at her local branch, where she bought 15 books for approximately $20. She also uses the Libby app for digital copies and Kanopy for movies. Rivera noted that libraries offer a space where she is not expected to spend money, unlike coffee shops.

A Pew Research Center survey released in mid-October found that 44% of Americans struggled to afford basic necessities in the past year. The same poll indicated that 70% of adults cut back on extra expenses, such as streaming subscriptions. This financial pressure aligns with rising prices for food and other goods, a trend attributed partly to the war with Iran.

Librarians and patrons report that these economic conditions are driving higher usage rates. Jeremy Reeder, director of the Maricopa County Library District in Arizona, observed a shift in consumer behavior. He said people are discovering that they can access services like Audible for free through the library with a small wait time.

The American Library Association president, Maria McCauley, stated that there is heightened awareness of the wide range of free or low-cost offerings libraries provide. McCauley serves as the director of the Cambridge Public Library in Massachusetts. She emphasized that libraries must make a strong case for their funding each year, especially when resources are uncertain.

Usage data from major systems confirms this trend. The Los Angeles Public Library reported a 37% increase in makerspace usage between the last two fiscal years. Digital circulation and library visits at that system rose by more than 20%. The Chicago Public Library saw in-person visits, adult card applications, and Wi-Fi sessions jump by over 11% from January through July.

In Arizona, the Maricopa County Library District recorded a 34% increase in Kanopy use and a 78% surge in Hoopla use over the past three years. The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, where Rivera is a patron, logged an 8.1% increase in digital media checkouts last year. However, physical circulation at that branch is down. Staff there also noted a surge in requests for tech support, including help with online job applications.

OverDrive, the company that owns Kanopy, reported a 41% spike in users of its streaming service last year. Edwin Rodarte, a senior librarian at the Los Angeles Public Library, said the pandemic boosted existing trends toward digital media. He described the growth as skyrocketing after lockdowns forced users to acclimate to e-books and streaming apps.

Federal funding for libraries remains a point of contention. The Trump administration proposed zeroing out funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services in its budget proposal for the current fiscal year. Last year, the administration attempted to cancel library grants, prompting attorneys general from 21 states to sue. The grants were reinstated after the lawsuit.

Libraries are also expanding their role in community support. A survey found that 56% of libraries offered food security support services last year. Many branches lend out items known as a library of things, such as WiFi hotspots, induction cooktops, and camping gear. At the Free Library of Philadelphia, a biweekly crafting meetup provides sewing machines and materials at no cost to attendees.