41% surge in library streaming users reflects rising cost pressures
New data from major public library systems shows a sharp increase in membership and digital media access as consumers cut back on paid subscriptions.
By Scott Marshall ·
OverDrive, the company that operates the Kanopy streaming service, reported a 41 percent increase in users over the past year. This spike is part of a wider trend where Americans are turning to local libraries to offset rising living costs. The shift is visible in both digital metrics and physical foot traffic across the country.
Izzy Rivera in Topeka, Kansas, illustrates this change. While saving for law school, she has stopped buying most new books. Instead, she checks out physical copies and digital files through the Libby app. Last month, she bought 15 used books for about $20 at her local library sale. Rivera also uses Kanopy for movies and reads the New York Times at no cost. She described the library as a place where she is not expected to spend money, unlike a coffee shop where a purchase is implied.
Library officials confirm that economic conditions drive usage. Jeremy Reeder, director of the Maricopa County Library District in Arizona, noted that many patrons stop paying for services like Audible after learning they can access the same content through their library card. Reeder said this realization often comes from friends or family members who point out the free alternative. The Maricopa system saw a 34 percent increase in Kanopy use and a 78 percent surge in Hoopla use over the last three years.
Large urban systems report similar growth. The Los Angeles Public Library saw makerspace usage rise by 37 percent in the most recent fiscal year. Digital circulation and library visits both increased by more than 20 percent. The Chicago Public Library reported that in-person visits, adult card applications, and Wi-Fi sessions all jumped by more than 11 percent from January through July. The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library logged an 8.1 percent increase in digital media checkouts last year, though physical book circulation declined.
These trends align with national surveys on financial stress. A Pew Research Center survey released in mid-October found that 44 percent of Americans struggled to afford at least one basic necessity in the past year. Seventy percent of adults said they had cut back on extras such as streaming subscriptions. Librarians attribute part of the growth to better marketing and social media trends that have increased interest in reading. Maria McCauley, president of the American Library Association, said there is heightened awareness of the wide range of free or low-cost offerings available at libraries.
Libraries are also adapting to new community needs. During the pandemic, users became more comfortable with digital media, a trend that has continued. Libraries now offer lending programs for items beyond books, including 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. Attendees like Chloe deBeus use these resources to try new hobbies without the upfront expense of buying equipment.
Federal funding for these services remains a point of contention. The Trump administration recommended zeroing out funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services in its April budget proposal for the current fiscal year. Although 21 states sued to block an earlier attempt to cut the agency, and the grants were reinstated, the uncertainty affects operations. McCauley, who also directs the Cambridge Public Library in Massachusetts, said libraries rely on a mix of federal, state, and local funds. She noted that making the case for funding is harder when resources are uncertain, affecting the ability to provide expertise, facilities, and collections to the community.
Libraries are increasingly responding to issues like homelessness and food insecurity. A survey found that 56 percent of libraries offered food security support services last year. This occurred as major changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program took effect. Many branches also serve as community hubs for job application help and tech support. For recent college graduate Nathaniel Muns, the library provides a place to decompress and practice music on a keyboard while his personal instrument is being repaired. He said the library offers a space where he can focus without the pressure to spend.
