A new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report exposes a national crisis in public library infrastructure, with 61% of facilities reporting health or safety hazards and 40% suffering from failing major systems—leaving thousands of communities at risk as funding gaps widen.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

WASHINGTON — Nearly 40% of America’s public libraries are operating with failing major systems, while 61% report at least one health or safety hazard, according to a GAO audit released this week. The findings, based on a nationally representative survey of 16,400 libraries, paint a dire picture of deferred maintenance, water damage, and structural decay in facilities that double as community hubs, voting sites, and emergency shelters.

gao-26-107262 by yourNEWS Media

Aging Infrastructure, Mounting Costs

The GAO found that 6,000 libraries—roughly 40%—have at least one critical system (such as HVAC, plumbing, or electrical) in “poor condition.” Meanwhile, 9,800 libraries (61%) reported health or safety risks, including:

  • Inaccessible spaces for patrons with disabilities
  • Overcrowded or deteriorating facilities
  • Water damage, mold, and asbestos in older buildings

During site visits, GAO investigators documented dilapidated ceilings, broken plumbing, and unsafe wiring—issues that library staff say undermine daily operations and public safety.

A $100,000+ Problem for Thousands

The financial burden is staggering:

  • 70% of libraries (11,200) report a backlog of deferred maintenance, with no relief in sight over the next three years.
  • 39% (6,200 libraries) face over $100,000 in deferred repairs—some needing $225,000+ for asbestos removal, HVAC replacements, or structural fixes.
  • 16% (2,600 libraries) spent nothing on maintenance in 2023, while 12% (1,900 libraries) shelling out over $100,000 just to keep doors open.

Funding Gaps Leave Libraries Stranded

Federal grants have historically supported programming and services—not construction or repairs, forcing libraries to rely on local taxes and state budgets. But in rural, high-poverty, or small-town libraries, those funds are often nonexistent.

“One librarian estimated needing $60,000 for a new HVAC system, while another faced $225,000 in construction costs just to address asbestos and structural damage,” the GAO reported.

A Crisis of Neglect

The report underscores a growing maintenance crisis:

  • Deferred repairs are expected to worsen in 70% of libraries over the next three years.
  • Limited grant opportunities and shrinking local tax bases leave many libraries unable to address hazards.
  • Emergency closures due to failing systems disrupt voting, after-school programs, and disaster relief efforts.

What’s Next?

The GAO’s findings raise urgent questions about how cash-strapped communities can preserve these vital public spaces. Without federal or state intervention, experts warn, more libraries could close—leaving millions without access to books, technology, or safe gathering spaces.

For now, the report serves as a national alarm bell, exposing how America’s libraries—once the bedrock of local democracy—are crumbling under neglect.

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