Facing pressure from everyday inflation, Americans are turning to municipal libraries to replace paid media subscriptions with zero-cost platforms like Kanopy, Libby, and Hoopla. Recent data from systems in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Maricopa County confirm notable surges in digital circulation, card sign-ups, and in-person foot traffic. Librarians explain that while economic pressures traditionally lift attendance, better marketing, social media trends, and tech support offerings are also bolstering overall engagement.
Key points
Households are utilizing free public branches to offset severe cost-of-living increases a…: Households are utilizing free public branches to offset severe cost-of-living increases and cuts to personal entertainment spending.
Municipal systems across the country are seeing double-digit growth across card registrat…: Municipal systems across the country are seeing double-digit growth across card registrations, on-site Wi-Fi sessions, and digital streaming.
Patron numbers are further amplified by social media reading trends, improved library mar…: Patron numbers are further amplified by social media reading trends, improved library marketing, and access to career tech support.
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Izzy Rivera reads at least one book every week, but buying them new isn't in her budget. As she saves up for law school, some expenses don't make the cut.
"Say I'm buying a few a month," she said, "it just isn't realistic."
That's why Rivera has recently been leaning more on local libraries near her home in Topeka, Kan., checking out both physical books and digital copies on the Libby app. (Some of her recent reads: Sour Cherry by Natalia Theodoridou, Spoilt Creatures by Amy Twigg and Plastic Inc. by Beth Gardiner.) Rivera also went to her library's used book sale last month, where she picked up 15 books for about $20.
The library's money-saving potential doesn't end there for her. Rivera also watches movies on the streaming app Kanopy, reads the New York Times at no cost and often passes the time at a local branch.
"It's somewhere I can go where I'm not expected to spend money," she said. "If I were to go to a coffee shop just to get out and do something, the expectation…
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