More than a third of UK adults have stopped reading for pleasure, with social media, time constraints, and difficulty focusing cited as key reasons, according to new research from Better. The study of 2,000 UK adults shows a 13.8% drop in regular readers since 2015, with the proportion of those who have never read regularly nearly doubling, up 88%. Despite this decline, the research highlights the critical role of reading and libraries in supporting mental health, economic savings, and community wellbeing.
Reading supports mental health
- 35% of adults say reading reduced stress or anxiety in the past year.
- 25% report better sleep through reading.
- 37% learned something new from books.
Among 25–34-year-olds, 43% say reading helps manage stress, and 57% note improved learning. With rising living costs, career pressures, and social media burnout affecting this group, books could be a vital tool for resilience. However, distractions like endless scrolling and digital fatigue are crowding out time for reading, despite its proven benefits for mental wellbeing.
Libraries are emerging as essential community hubs. The research shows 79% of people want more support for libraries, with 43% ranking them as the most valuable free community resource. For 16–24-year-olds, a third use libraries as study spaces, and nearly a quarter rely on them when starting university or new courses. Libraries offer calm environments that foster reading and, by extension, mental health.
Rebecca Gediking, Better’s Head of Libraries, said: “From helping someone land a job to supporting parents, reducing isolation, or simply offering a safe space to learn, the impact of libraries is huge. We see first-hand how they uplift communities, and it’s clear from this study that the public feels the same. With more investment, libraries could do even more to support Britain’s well-being, economy, and sense of community.”
Libraries deliver economic and social value
- 96% of Brits say libraries have positive benefits, including supporting children’s literacy, saving money, and reducing isolation.
- Library users save £1,473 annually through services like book loans, digital resources, and free Wi-Fi or hotdesking.
- A third say a local library makes an area more desirable to live in.
- Libraries help people find friends, jobs, emotional support, and even start businesses.
The data reveals library users save an average of £1,472.79 yearly. Physical book borrowing saves around £230 per person, based on Better Libraries users borrowing 23 books annually. Digital access to eBooks, audiobooks, newspapers, and magazines adds £411 in savings. Free Wi-Fi and hotdesking spaces save users £832 annually, compared to £4.50 hourly costs for coffee shops or coworking spaces. These savings translate to tens of millions across the UK.
Beyond economics, libraries offer free events, study spaces, and technology access. Half of UK adults visited a library in the past year, with 1 in 10 using one in the last week. Socially, 18% say libraries reduce loneliness, rising to 22% for those over 55. Among 25–34-year-olds, 32% have made a friend in a library, and 23% found emotional support or belonging. Libraries also support skills and careers: 13% learned new skills like coding or languages, 7% found jobs or promotions, and 7% started businesses using library resources.
Libraries rival public parks in importance, ranking second among public services. A third of respondents say a nearby library makes an area more desirable, surpassing the influence of good schools (28%). For 25–34-year-olds, 21% say libraries supported them during moves or transitions.
