Public libraries are seeing renewed attention as households look for ways to trim spending on books, audiobooks and streaming. Patrons and librarians across the United States tell NPR that tighter budgets are pushing more people to use their library cards, a pattern librarians say has long accompanied hard economic times.
What can a library card replace?
Much of the savings comes from digital services that many people pay for elsewhere. Library apps Libby and Hoopla let cardholders borrow e-audiobooks for free for up to three weeks, according to the Sequim Gazette, which notes that some readers still pay for monthly audiobook subscriptions without knowing the library offers the same titles.
The savings extend beyond listening. One patron in Topeka, Kan., told NPR she watches movies on the streaming app Kanopy, reads the New York Times at no cost and picked up 15 books for about $20 at a library used book sale. Libraries also serve as places to spend time without spending money.
Why are people using libraries more now?
Cost pressures are a major factor. A Pew Research Center survey released in mid-October found that 44% of Americans said they had struggled in the past year to afford at least one basic necessity, and 70% said they had cut back on extras such as streaming subscriptions, according to NPR. Several of the largest U.S. public library systems reported recent increases in cardholder membership, circulation and event attendance.
Should library access stay free?
Not every country treats free cards as settled. Finland's Finance Ministry has floated an annual fee of about 30 euros for adult library cards as part of more than 100 proposals to balance the economy, Yle reported. A freelance librarian there noted that free access is a statutory right dating to the country's first library act in 1928, and warned that fees tend to reduce use.
How else do libraries reach people?
Some branches focus on access for those who cannot easily visit. The Clark County Public Library in Winchester, Ky., runs a bookmobile, visits schools and community centers, and delivers materials to patrons who cannot come in, according to the Winchester Sun. Elsewhere, Samuels Public Library in Front Royal, Va., is running a Food for Fines program through November: donors get 25 cents off overdue fees per day, up to $10, with items going to a local hunger campaign.
FAQ
Are library audiobooks really free?
Yes. Cardholders can borrow e-audiobooks through apps such as Libby and Hoopla at no cost, though popular titles may involve a wait.
What is Food for Fines?
It is a program at some libraries, including Samuels Public Library in Virginia, that lets patrons reduce overdue fees by donating food or hygiene items.
