Reading felt like it was on the downturn in the 2020s with the rise of short-form, attention-grabbing content. But thanks to the efforts of Generation Z on social media, books are becoming a part of people's lives again, and libraries play one of the most important roles in facilitating this massive shift.
Unlike bookstores, libraries give people of any economic background access to books. Fueled by #BookTok, the youth-dominated movement is more accessible than many other trends that college students struggle to afford.
"Romanticizing" life has made the mundane seem enjoyable again, and that has helped propel reading to this fame on TikTok. One way is the cozy atmosphere the reading aesthetic promises in Pinterest photos, with lit candles and a scholarly background setting.
"Romanticizing reading, I've seen what that's done for some people on TikTok," said Georgianna DuBois, a teen visiting Burton Barr Central Library. "If you romanticize dark academia ... it's actually very interesting to immerse yourself in that."
Reading books from libraries is a rare case of a hobby that doesn't promote overconsumption. A stack of books can sit pretty on a shelf, give the appearance that a smart person lives there and provide a fulfilling hobby.
READ MORE: 'Underconsumption core' influences ASU students to live more intentionally, sustainably
Beyond books, libraries distribute other forms of media like music and movies. Alice Maney, a frequent visitor of Civic Center Library in Scottsdale, explained that libraries fuel her obsession with physical media without making her a hoarder.
"I have piles of DVDs in my room," Maney said. "I started going to the library more to get them because I still could have that physical thing I can hold."
Many library-goers like Maney find value in libraries as social settings. They don't demand socialization, but also open the door to interaction.
"There's always going to be a need for libraries because they are a physical space you can go to without the expectation to buy anything, you can kind of just exist there," Maney said. "A lot of companies right now are kind of pushing toward making spaces like that not exist because they want you on the Metaverse or whatever."
Summer Johnson, another frequent library visitor, similarly explained that libraries make her feel like she has more of a community, even without knowing anyone in it.
"It would give me an option to go someplace that's not my house ... I don't have to talk to people here," Johnson said. "I can just hang out and read. The library is the friend."
Libraries aren't going anywhere, at least not yet. Continuing to emphasize the importance of literature, third spaces and underconsumption efforts help to keep libraries alive. And as of now, Gen Z seems to be on the right track.
"I do have hope, actually I do," said Lolade Taylor, a parent visiting the library with her daughter. "I feel like, especially if this generation was raised reading by their parents or teachers ... I feel like there is hope for them to advocate and save our libraries."
Edited by Andrew Dirst, Abigail Beck and Natalia Jarrett.
Reach the reporter at ebmosier@asu.edu and follow @eleribmosier on X.
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Eleri is a senior studying interdisciplinary studies, english and sociology. This is her second semester with The State Press. She has also worked in retail.
