Library Usage: Economic Pressure Drives Record Growth in Public Library Services

A 41% spike in users of the streaming service Kanopy was reported by OverDrive, the company that owns the platform, over the last year alone. This surge in digital media consumption is part of a wider trend affecting public library systems across the United States. Data shared by several of the largest library networks show recent increases in cardholder membership, book circulation, and event attendance.

Izzy Rivera, a resident of Topeka, Kansas, illustrates this shift in personal habits. While she reads at least one book every week, her budget for law school has reduced discretionary spending. Rivera now relies on the local library for physical books and digital copies via the Libby app. Last month, she purchased 15 used books for approximately $20 at a library sale. She also accesses the New York Times at no cost and watches films on Kanopy.

"It is somewhere I can go where I am not expected to spend money," Rivera said. She noted that visiting a coffee shop often creates an expectation to purchase a drink, even when not desired.

Economic factors appear to be a primary driver of this increase. A Pew Research Center survey released in mid-October found that 44% of Americans struggled to afford at least one basic necessity, such as medical care or housing payments, over the past year. Additionally, 70% of adults reported cutting back on extras, including streaming subscriptions. Librarians attribute the growth in usage to the rising cost of living and a growing public awareness that libraries offer resources far beyond physical books.

Jeremy Reeder, director of the Maricopa County Library District in Arizona, observed that patrons often realize they do not need to pay for services like Audible if they are willing to wait for library loans. The Maricopa County system has seen a 34% increase in Kanopy use and a 78% surge in Hoopla use over the past three years. The district also saw its cardholder base grow sharply after moving its application process online.

Other major systems report similar gains. The Los Angeles Public Library recorded a 37% growth in makerspace usage between the last two fiscal years. Digital circulation and library visits at that institution were both up by more than 20%. At the Chicago Public Library, in-person visits, adult library card applications, and Wi-Fi sessions all increased by more than 11% from January through July of this year.

The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, where Rivera is a patron, logged an 8.1% increase in digital media checkouts last year. While physical circulation has declined, requests for tech support, such as assistance with online job applications, have surged. Maria McCauley, president of the American Library Association and director of the Cambridge Public Library in Massachusetts, stated that libraries have become more popular due to heightened awareness of their wide range of free or low-cost offerings.

Libraries are also adapting to modern needs by lending items beyond books. Many institutions offer a "library of things" that includes WiFi hotspots, induction cooktops, birding kits, and camping gear. At the Free Library of Philadelphia, a biweekly crafting meetup provides sewing machines and materials at no cost. Chloe deBeus, an attendee, said the library allows people to try crafts without the upfront cost of purchasing equipment.

Nathaniel Muns, a recent college graduate who works for an AI startup, used the music department at the Parkway Central Branch to practice jazz standards. Muns, whose own keyboard had broken, said the cost of living had risen significantly. He described the library as a place to decompress at the end of the day. Meanwhile, federal funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services remains under review, with the White House budget proposal recommending zero funding for the agency for the current fiscal year.