The Financial Impact of Library Closures in a COVID Economy
Libraries are the beating heart of our communities
As a self-professed bibliophile, I remember my first library card. I don’t remember how it looked, but I remember the power of holding it and knowing that I could check out any book or movie on the shelves. I was already aware that books weren’t just books. They were whole worlds to escape into, an instant pass to being somewhere else.
Libraries closing amid the pandemic just didn’t quite make my radar for some time. While I love our local public library, the truth is that I don’t frequent it as much as I once did. I’ve been stopping at Little Free Libraries and purchasing books online or in stores. Streaming services have eclipsed much of my movie borrowing, and while we love to attend the family-friendly events, our patronage of the library has slowed in recent years.
But I remember hard times when the library was where I went for Internet access, employment resources, movie rentals, and to satisfy my voracious appetite for other worlds. It had been a lifeline, and I have lately neglected it. But as I’ve been writing about personal finance in a COVID economy, it occurred to me that a few of my life hacks don’t quite mesh with a global pandemic.
In normal times, libraries offered a variety of resources for those on a budget. Free books to borrow and movies to rent. Free family programming — particularly in the summer. Internet access and affordable printing. Employment resources. Even a well air-conditioned place to curl up with a book and enjoy the quiet — or for the homeless, a place to get out of the weather and loiter in a safe place.
But libraries, like everywhere else, closed up shop for the pandemic. While some may be slowly opening, at a time of our greatest financial hardship, one of the best resources was closed to us. Individuals couldn’t just give up the purchase of books and streaming services in favor of free books and movies at the local library. For a while, the people who rely most on its services were without it.
In the town where I live, the local school provided jump drives to students without Internet access, and the city informed residents of where free Wi-Fi still existed — in parking lots of libraries, parks, and businesses. The library’s closure was felt, and as most of us were busy trimming our budgets to adjust for hardship, we couldn’t just rely on its free offerings to supplement our entertainment.
Libraries are also experiencing financial hardship. Fees they normally collect won’t be coming in, funding could be cut, and they will likely suffer as much as the rest of us while dealing with closures amidst the pandemic. An article in Wired explains the problem:
“During economic downturns, library patronage surges, as millions of more people are drawn by free and low-cost resources, job-seeking programs chief among them. According to a 2010 report by the ALA, libraries in 24 states had their funding slashed during the recession of the late 2000s. Combine a surplus of increasingly desperate people with underfunded library staff and things can get ugly.”
Libraries are essential to our communities. As they begin to open back up, we can look for ways to support them. Most libraries have a Friends of the Library group we can join for a fee to add our support. Where we can’t volunteer money, we can volunteer time — and vice versa. Where we can’t volunteer either, we can make sure that we vote for representatives who don’t put library funding on the chopping block. We can show up to library book sales and find other ways to champion their cause.
The heart of our communities will always be libraries. After we move into a post-COVID world, they will need our support and patronage now more than ever. They need us — and we may very well need them. Together, we can make our communities stronger, smarter, and safer as we navigate whatever challenges lie ahead.
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This article is for informational purposes only, it should not be considered Financial or Legal Advice. Not all information will be accurate. Consult a financial professional before making any major financial decisions.
