Library Usage Surges Amid Cost Pressures
Data from major U.S. library systems show sharp increases in digital borrowing and cardholder growth as consumers cut spending on non-essential goods.
By James Mitchell ·
Libraries in the United States have historically seen increased traffic during periods of economic strain, a pattern that is intensifying in 2026. Recent data from large public library systems indicate substantial growth in membership, circulation, and event attendance. These trends align with a nationwide push to reduce spending on entertainment and daily expenses.
Jeremy Reeder, director of the Maricopa County Library District in Arizona, noted that many patrons are switching from paid streaming services to free library offerings. He described a common scenario where individuals abandon Audible subscriptions after learning that library cardholders can access the same titles. The district recorded a 34% increase in Kanopy usage and a 78% rise in Hoopla usage over the past three years. This growth coincided with the district moving its cardholder application process online.
Similar upward trends appeared in other major systems. The Los Angeles Public Library reported a 37% growth in makerspace usage between the last two fiscal years. Digital circulation and physical visits to the library both increased 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 2026. OverDrive, which owns Kanopy, reported a 41% spike in users of the streaming service last year.
Smaller systems are seeing mixed results. The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library logged an 8.1% increase in digital media checkouts last year. However, physical book circulation in that system declined. Staff reported a surge in requests for technology support, particularly assistance with online job applications. Izzy Rivera, a patron in Topeka, Kan., recently purchased 15 used books for about $20 at a library sale. She relies on the Libby app for digital copies and Kanopy for movies to stretch her budget while saving for law school.
Pew Research Center data released in mid-October 2026 shows that 44% of Americans struggled to afford at least one basic necessity in the past year. Seventy percent of adults reported cutting back on extras such as streaming subscriptions. These figures reflect affordability concerns that topped voter lists ahead of the midterm elections. Prices for food and other everyday items have risen in part due to the ongoing war with Iran.
Maria McCauley, president of the American Library Association and director of the Cambridge Public Library in Massachusetts, attributed part of the surge to better marketing and social media trends. She stated that libraries are popular because patrons recognize that most resources are free or very low cost. The American Library Association found that circulation increased at 18 large public library systems during the 2001 recession. A separate study of 541 libraries found higher use during the Great Recession compared to previous years.
Federal funding for libraries remains uncertain. The Trump administration attempted to cut the Institute of Museum and Library Services last year. Attorneys general from 21 states sued to block the move, leading to the reinstatement of grants. The White House budget proposal for the current fiscal year recommended zeroing out funding for the agency. McCauley noted that libraries rely on a combination of federal, state, and local funding to operate.
Libraries are expanding services beyond books to address community needs. A survey found that 56% of libraries offered food security support services last year. This occurred the same year a Republican tax and spending bill changed SNAP benefits, causing millions of Americans to lose food assistance. Many branches now lend out items such as Wi-Fi 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.
