Library usage climbs as costs rise

Public library systems across the United States report rising usage as consumer budgets tighten.

The trend reflects a shift toward free community resources during a period of elevated prices for food and housing. Data from major library districts show increases in cardholder membership and digital circulation in 2026. Librarians attribute the growth to both cost-cutting habits and improved marketing efforts.

Izzy Rivera in Topeka, Kansas, relies on the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library to manage her expenses while saving for law school. She checks out physical and digital books through the Libby app. Last month, she purchased 15 used books for approximately $20 at a library sale. Rivera also accesses the New York Times and the Kanopy streaming service at no cost. She noted that the library provides a space to work without the implicit expectation of spending money, unlike a coffee shop.

A Pew Research Center survey released in mid-October found that 44% of Americans struggled to afford at least one basic necessity in the past year. Seventy percent of adults reported cutting back on non-essential expenses such as streaming subscriptions. Jeremy Reeder, director of the Maricopa County Library District in Arizona, said patrons are increasingly aware that they can access paid content through their library cards.

The Los Angeles Public Library saw 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 reported that in-person visits, adult card applications, and Wi-Fi sessions all jumped by more than 11% from January through July. The Maricopa County Library District recorded a 34% increase in Kanopy use and a 78% surge in Hoopla use over the past three years.

OverDrive, the owner of Kanopy, reported a 41% spike in users last year. At the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, digital media checkouts increased by 8.1% last year, although physical circulation declined. The system also saw a rise in requests for tech support, including help with online job applications.

Maria McCauley, president of the American Library Association and director of the Cambridge Public Library, said libraries provide free or low-cost resources that are increasingly valued by the public. She noted that the White House budget proposal for the current fiscal year recommended zeroing out funding for the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. McCauley stated that funding uncertainty makes it harder to secure necessary resources. The agency reinstated grants after attorneys general from 21 states sued to block an earlier attempt to cut the program.

Libraries also serve as community hubs for non-book resources. A survey found that 56% of libraries offered food security support services last year. Many institutions lend items such as WiFi hotspots, induction cooktops, and camping gear. At the Free Library of Philadelphia, patrons use sewing machines and materials for free at biweekly crafting meetups. Nathaniel Muns, a recent college graduate, practices piano in the music department because his home keyboard broke. He said the library provides a place to decompress without additional cost.