Library usage across the United States is experiencing notable growth, with patrons citing financial constraints as a key factor in their increased visits. Izzy Rivera, a law school-bound resident of Topeka, Kansas, represents a growing demographic relying on libraries for entertainment and resources rather than purchasing items independently. She utilizes physical book checkouts, digital borrowing through the Libby app, used book sales, and streaming services like Kanopy available through her local branch.
Economic pressures appear to be driving library patronage upward. According to a Pew Research Center survey released in mid-October, 44% of Americans reported struggling in the past year to afford basic necessities, while 70% of adults cut back on discretionary expenses such as streaming subscriptions. Several large public library systems have reported measurable increases in usage metrics. The Los Angeles Public Library saw makerspace usage grow 37% between recent fiscal years, with digital circulation and library visits both rising over 20%. Chicago Public Library recorded year-over-year increases exceeding 11% in in-person visits, adult card applications, and Wi-Fi sessions from January through July. Maricopa County Library District in Arizona documented a 34% increase in Kanopy use and a 78% surge in Hoopla use over three years.
Librarians and administrators attribute increased traffic partly to improved marketing and heightened awareness of library services extending beyond traditional books. Digital adoption accelerated during the pandemic lockdowns, and this trend has continued as patrons became familiar with e-books and streaming platforms. OverDrive, which operates Kanopy, reported a 41% spike in users over the past year. Historical precedent supports the connection between economic downturns and library usage, with circulation data showing increases at major systems during the 2001 recession and the Great Recession.
However, libraries face budgetary challenges despite growing demand. Federal funding for library services has faced threats, with the Trump administration attempting to eliminate grants through the Institute of Museum and Library Services in the previous year. Though attorneys general from 21 states successfully challenged the move to reinstate grants, the IMLS remains on the administration’s agenda, with a recent White House budget proposal recommending zeroing out agency funding.
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