STUDY: Generation Z and Millennials are becoming increasingly interested in public libraries

Most might think that young people choose e-books over a public library, but that’s not quite true!

According to a study by the American Library Association (ALA), libraries are making a comeback, and it’s the younger generations, like Gen Z and millennials, who are leading the charge.

Surprisingly, more than half of these young folks who don’t even consider themselves big readers have been visiting local libraries in the past year. This study came out in November 2023.

In 2022, researchers surveyed over 2,000 Gen Z and millennials. More than half of them said they’d visited a public library and borrowed digital books from there.

Rachel Noorda, one of the researchers from Portland State University, shared some good news: Young people are not just reading books; they’re also buying them and visiting libraries.

They’re not sticking to just one type of media but exploring different forms of entertainment.

For Gen Z and millennials, libraries are more than just places filled with books.

Sure, there are quiet areas, but there are also cool spaces where teens can hang out. Some libraries even have rooms for gaming or making music.

It’s a spot to enjoy your company or connect with others.

Henry Grey Earls, an art student in New York City, shares his public library story videos on TikTok.

Henry films himself studying, journaling, or reading in front of the Bryant Park library’s beautiful architecture, gaining millions of views.

“I think people my age are craving something more authentic and looking for something real. What’s more real than books and physical material?” Henry said.

Even though many young people read e-books, there’s something special about holding a printed book, especially for sharing on social media.

Kathi Inman Berens, who co-authored the ALA study, points out that physical books have a visual appeal that digital copies can’t match.

Young people often don’t have a “third place.” This term, coined by a sociologist named Ray Oldenburg, refers to a spot outside home and work where people can hang out and socialize.

Anika Neumeyer, a volunteer at the Seattle Public Library, says that, unlike crowded coffee shops where you feel pressured to buy something, libraries are open to everyone, and there’s no judgment.

But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for libraries. Some lawmakers are trying to restrict certain library materials, and budget cuts threaten library services.

Even so, many people, especially younger ones, still love libraries. It’s a bit confusing, as Anna Murphy, a librarian in Brooklyn, points out. We see all this love for libraries online, but they struggle.

“It’s so strange when you hear ‘Oh, Gen Z loves libraries’ or when the algorithm keeps feeding you videos of beautiful libraries, but then there’s no more Sunday service, and you have to wait weeks for your book to come,” she said.

In 2018, a librarian named Fobazi Ettarh coined “vocational awe.”

This term means people think libraries are “inherently good” and “beyond critique,” leading to its workers’ exploitation.

Abby Hargreaves, a librarian in Washington DC, says young people often romanticize the job, thinking it’s all adventures. However, some want to harm libraries by cutting their budgets or banning books.

Recently, libraries and their workers have been facing many challenges. For example, New York City’s Mayor reduced library funding, angering people like Cardi B, according to The Guardian.

In Idaho, bills are trying to limit what books can be in libraries, and families could sue libraries for thousands of dollars if they break the rules.

Some politicians tried to take away all money from public libraries in Missouri.

Also, a person from TikTok who supports right-wing ideas was given a role in deciding which books are okay for students in Oklahoma’s schools.

Despite the challenges, the love for libraries among young people is undeniable.

Arlo Platt Zolov, a 15-year-old who works at the information desk of a public library in Brooklyn, believes that libraries are more than just trendy new things.

They’ve always been a comforting space, especially in a world that’s always changing.

Emily Drabinski, who leads ALA, wants to make sure we remember something important: Most Americans don’t like the idea of banning books, and they really respect librarians.

“Many folks adore the library, especially now that public institutions have been losing funding for 50 years. The library is one of the few places still standing strong,” she explained.

Watch Dr. Kathi Inman Berens and Dr. Rachel Noorda share their insights on what Gen Z loves about libraries: