Libraries are becoming a cost-of-living hack, and some are seeing a surge in sign-ups

This month, a library card in Glenview, Illinois, doubles as a discount pass. The suburban Chicago library has partnered with 34 local businesses to offer deals to cardholders throughout September, which is Library Card Sign-Up Month, from 10% off wine to a free month of robotics classes.

With basics like electricity and groceries straining budgets, small indulgences like buying a hardcover book or going to the movies can be harder for people to justify. Tickets for movies, theaters, and concerts alone have climbed 27% since before the pandemic, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. 

A library card not only unlocks thousands of books, movies, and TV shows for free, but in some places it can also score discounts on everyday purchases. And some libraries are seeing more people sign up as they expand into services that people would otherwise pay for, from streaming services and tech support to repairs, food distribution, and places to meet without spending money. 

The Brooklyn Public Library saw 150,018 new card registrations year-to-date through August, up 16% from two years ago, a spokesperson told Fortune. Glenview added 2,656 new cardholders as of August 31, an 8% increase from last year, according to a spokesperson. Its circulation of audiobooks, movies, ebooks and TV streaming also jumped 38%, she said. 

Some libraries are also teaming up with local businesses to help stretch cardholders’ budgets as prices rose 3.4% in the past year. Glenview partnered with 25 local businesses to offer discounts and special deals to library cardholders throughout........

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