Libraries Make Life Better — And Now We Have the Data to Prove It

For those of us who love libraries, it’s no surprise that they make our lives better. But thanks to a groundbreaking new study from the New York Public Library (NYPL), we now have the data to prove it. In collaboration with the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania, NYPL surveyed nearly 2,000 patrons to explore how libraries impact well-being.

The results were resoundingly positive.

This research used positive psychology’s PERMA model — an established framework for measuring well-being. What they found is nothing short of inspiring: libraries aren’t just places to borrow books; they are spaces of transformation, personal growth, and community connection.

A Refuge for the Mind and Soul

The study highlights what library lovers have long understood. Public libraries create the conditions necessary for flourishing. Patrons described the library as a refuge — a safe, stable, and peaceful environment where they can focus, learn, and be themselves.

• 92% of respondents reported feeling calm and peaceful after visiting the library.
• 74% said library use helps them feel more equipped to cope with the world.
• 90% reported that the library increases their love of learning.
• 88% said their library use has supported their personal growth.

Numbers like these reveal how libraries nurture well-being in ways we rarely quantify. Whether offering a quiet space in a hectic city, providing access to free resources, or simply serving as a welcoming place for all, libraries foster an environment where people feel valued and empowered.

More Than Books — A Pathway to Growth

One of the study’s most striking findings is that libraries don’t just impact day-to-day happiness. Libraries play a role in long-term personal development. Patrons described how the library helped them gain knowledge, achieve goals, and shift their worldviews.

Some of the most touching responses included:

• “The library gives you a sense of direction.”
• “Surrounded me with life’s possibilities.”
• “It offers us hope that we can do something, that we can make a change, that we can advance.”

Libraries, it turns out, are incubators for inspiration. Patrons felt more optimistic about the future, more connected to their communities, and even more empathetic toward people who are different from them. That sense of connection is crucial, especially in an era of rising concerns about loneliness and social isolation.

Libraries in the Neighborhood: A Bigger Impact Where It’s Needed Most

A particularly powerful takeaway from the study is that libraries have an even greater positive effect on lower-income communities. Patrons in these areas were more likely to report that the library helped them feel connected to others, supported their growth, and gave them a sense of belonging. For many, the library is more than a resource — it’s a lifeline.

The Big Picture: Libraries Strengthen Communities

The report makes a compelling case that public libraries should be recognized as essential pillars of well-being. The research suggests that libraries don’t just serve individuals; they strengthen entire communities. As NYPL Senior Director of Strategy & Public Impact Daphna Blatt and researchers Dr. E.K. Maloney, Dr. James O. Pawelski, and Dr. Katherine N. Cotter emphasize, libraries deserve a seat at the table in discussions about public health, civic engagement, and community resilience.

At a time when public spaces are increasingly privatized and digital overload fuels anxiety, libraries offer an antidote: a free, welcoming, and enriching environment where people can grow, connect, and find meaning. So the next time you visit your local library, know that you’re not just picking up a book — you’re investing in your well-being.

Want to dive deeper into the study? You can read the full report at https://www.nypl.org/spotlight/libraries-well-being-report.