U.S. Pleasure Reading Fell 40% in 20 Years as NYPL Borrowing Rose 27%
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 31
U.S. Pleasure Reading Fell 40% in 20 Years as NYPL Borrowing Rose 27%
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 31
A 2025 iScience study found Americans’ pleasure reading dropped 40% from 2003 to 2023, which New York Public Library Chief Librarian Anthony Marx calls a national reading crisis.
The warning comes despite strong library demand in New York: NYPL says book borrowing is up 27% since 2010, and a recent reading party drew more than 1,000 people, forcing staff to turn hundreds away.
The decline is especially sharp among children. A 2023 NAEP report showed just 14% of 13-year-olds read for fun almost every day, the lowest share since the federal government began tracking it in 1984.
Marx argues the problem is not only teaching literacy but creating conditions that make reading possible and attractive, rather than treating it solely as an individual failure to put down screens.
New York proved people crave community reading. What is the blueprint for other cities to revive local reading culture?
If reading 'strategies' don't work, what knowledge-based teaching methods can solve the student literacy crisis?
Are digital devices damaging children's brains, or just rewiring their expectations for entertainment and reward?
NYC Libraries Defy National Decline: How 765,000 New Members Signal a Path Forward for U.S. Reading Habits
Overview
Across the United States, pleasure reading is declining, but New York City stands out with a surge in library engagement. This positive trend in NYC is driven by increased library card sign-ups and rising usage of library services like computer sessions and branch visits. The full restoration of library budgets has enabled expanded services, renovated branches, more Sunday hours, and improved collections. These changes have made libraries more attractive and accessible, helping NYC buck the national trend. The report highlights how strong local investment and community-focused improvements can boost reading and library use, even as national habits shift.