In 2019 Libraries Were More Popular Than Movie Theaters

 

We’ve all heard the statement, “I liked the book better than the movie.” It seems to be the case these days that many books are now featured on the big screen. A few examples include Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep, and The Witches by Roald Dahl. These are all great books to enjoy before you decide whether or not to see the Hollywood adaptation. Or do you want to go to the movies at all anymore? 2019 was an interesting year as far as how the public entertains themselves. In a recent Gallup poll, they revealed that more people are going to the library versus the movie theater.

Who goes to the library the most?

The average American reported taking 10.5 visits to the library versus the 5.3 visits to a movie theater. Gallup reported younger people are going to libraries to utilize free services like access to wifi, movies, and of course, books.  They also found that women and lower-income families favor libraries more. Local libraries are a safe space to bring the family to enjoy an activity. Keep reading to see what else Gallup found.

The table below shows what they found regarding leisure and activities by age group.

	18-29	30-49	50-64	65+
	Average	Average	Average	Average
Go to a library	15.5	12.3	6.8	8.2
Go to a movie at a movie theater	6.6	6.8	4.1	3.6
Attend a live sporting event	2.8	7.4	3.9	3.7
Attend a live music or theatrical event	3.1	4.5	3.8	2.7
Visit a national or historical park	4.2	5.9	2.3	1.6
Visit a museum	2.9	2.9	2.0	1.8
Visit a gambling casino	4.4	2.9	1.8	1.4
Go to an amusement or theme park	1.8	2.6	1.0	0.5

SOURCE: Gallup, Inc. Reports of Leisure and Activities, by Age Group [Table]. In December 2 – 15 2019 Poll https://news.gallup.com/poll/284009/library-visits-outpaced-trips-movies-2019.aspx

The shift in the film industry

As paperback books saw with e-readers, the film industry is witnessing a similar change due to streaming services. In this Consumer Reports article, Guide to Streaming Video Services, they list 25 streaming services, many of which are more affordable than cable. The other concern is that movies playing on the big screen are available through those streaming services. Knowing that films are more accessible than ever before is giving people more motivation to subscribe to Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ for their cinema needs. In the meantime, what better way to enjoy a night out than going to your local library?

Reasons people like libraries

• Who doesn’t like free entertainment? Back in the 1950s, the average cost was $0.46. The average price of a movie ticket now is $9.11. Meanwhile, taxes fund libraries and are free to the public. Libraries do accept gifts and donations. Check with your local library to see what they accept to thank them for all the entertainment they provide.
• Libraries usually have extended hours to accommodate night owls who want to enjoy their evening out while sticking to their budget. 
• Nooks, crannies, and coffee! Libraries have it all. You can join a book club in a community room or tuck yourself away in one of the stacks. Many university libraries have coffee stations to make the whole library experience more enjoyable.

You know another reason people enjoy libraries? It’s a quiet space to practice the Method of Loci, also known as a Memory Palace. Both students and professionals alike can benefit from creating a memory palace. Contact us today to learn more!