Film still from Past Lives, 2023. Director: Celine Song, Director of Photography: Shabier Kirchner

"Top library users — those most likely to visit at least monthly — include adults under age 30, folks who attend religious services at least once a month and Democrats."

"What brings these folks to the library? Well, younger adults are more likely than anyone else to go to the library to socialize or browse media other than books. Non-Christian religious folks are more likely than anyone else to go to the library to vote. For the churchgoers, it’s to use library resources: computers, workspaces and archives. Educated Americans gravitate toward the fun stuff: books, classes and children’s programs and help from the librarians."

"One thing that doesn’t seem to drive most people to libraries? Financial hardship. In fact, the higher your income, the more regularly you avail yourself of their free books, spaces and services."

"And while we can’t say for sure, it seems bookstores and libraries complement each other more than they compete. A near-unanimous 92 percent of Americans with a favorable attitude toward bookstores also have a favorable attitude toward libraries. About 58 percent of U.S. readers get at least some of their books from libraries, and the more you read, the more you rely on libraries." - Andrew Van Dam

ARTICLE: Who Uses Public Libraries the Most? There’s a Divide by Religion, and Politics