Book prices have climbed in recent years as the cost of publishing — from paper to shipping — continues to rise. Industry analysts say global tariffs and higher supply expenses are pushing production costs up, which can translate to a 5% to 10% increase for readers when publishers pass those expenses along.
For people who read several books a month, those increases add up quickly. But in Erie, readers can see their savings add up just as fast.
Erie County Public Library patrons can request an itemized receipt each time they check out materials. The slip shows how much money they saved by borrowing instead of buying.
Alyssa Johnson, the county library’s communications outreach coordinator, demonstrated how it works. “At the bottom, it will show you, I just saved $33 by borrowing this instead of buying it,” she said.
The receipt also keeps a running total of a patron’s savings, not just for the day, but across the year and over the course of their membership.
New hardcover books typically cost between $20 and $30, while many paperbacks range from $10 to $20. But the savings extend beyond books.
“So, whether it’s books or maker kits or museum passes, whatever it would cost you out of pocket to buy that item gets translated into your library lifetime savings,” Johnson said.
While you might not get to keep the book forever, the savings can last a lifetime.