Almost two out of every three of America’s 17,000 public libraries faces major facility maintenance challenges, including poorly functioning heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, according to a new survey by the Government Accounting Office (GAO).

“An estimated 38 percent (about 6,000) of the nation’s public libraries have at least one building system, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), in poor condition, according to GAO’s survey of libraries. An estimated 61 percent, or 9,800 libraries, have at least one building system or feature that poses a potential health or safety concern,” GAO reported.

“Library size and physical accessibility were most frequently cited as potential concerns. For example, librarians we spoke with, and survey respondents, mentioned small library buildings can have inaccessible areas, obstructed walkways, and overcrowding,” the GAO report said.

The GAO is the investigative arm of the legislative branch of the federal government.

The report on the widespread maintenance and repair needs of the nation’s public libraries parallels the continuing accumulation of data about the failure of primary public education to teach basic reading skills and instill a passion for learning in young Americans.

The 2025 National Assessment of Educational Program (NAEP) — known more informally as “the Nation’s Report Card” — found just 35% of graduating high school seniors are able to read at basic proficiency levels. The 35% figure is the lowest reading proficiency score ever recorded in the more than three decades of administration of the NAEP.

The poor physical conditions at many public libraries also comes despite the fact that foot traffic and physical book borrowing have declined dramatically in recent years, even as more patrons depend upon digital versions of needed resources.

“The decade-plus declines are nationwide: In New York, visits have fallen by 47 percent since 2012; in Los Angeles by 74 percent; San Francisco by 65 percent; Chicago by 66 percent, Miami by 52 percent, Philadelphia by 72 percent. In the big county library systems, visits are also down by large margins: visits in King County (in Washington state) are down by 51 percent; Multnomah (in Oregon), 54 percent; Cuyahoga (Ohio) 61 percent; and Broward County (Florida) 48 percent,” according to a 2024 Publisher’s Weekly (PW) report covering the dozen years from 2010 to 2022.

The PW report also noted that the number of print books held in U.S. public libraries declined 20% during the period, with 162 million fewer titles.

The major challenge in addressing such problems is the fact that public libraries typically rely almost entirely on local funding. Federal funds are available for certain services and products, but cannot be used to cover maintenance costs, according to GAO. The analysis of the libraries was conducted by GAO at the direction of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2024.

“An estimated 90 percent of libraries use local funding to address maintenance and repairs. However, reliance on local funding, particularly for small town rural libraries and libraries in high-poverty areas, can also pose challenges to addressing facility repair needs,” the report continued.

The GAO analysts were unable to estimate the total costs of repairing all of the current problems, but their report made clear the costs would be significant.

“While the total cost to repair public library facilities nationwide is unknown, an estimated 70 percent (about 11,200 libraries) have a backlog of deferred maintenance and repair, according to GAO’s survey. According to budget forecasts and planned projects, an estimated 70 percent of libraries also expect deferred maintenance to persist or increase in the next 3 years,” the report explained.

“One librarian estimated needing about $60,000 for a new HVAC, and another librarian estimated more than $225,000 in construction costs for building repair needs, including for asbestos removal. An estimated 39 percent, or 6,200 libraries, had a deferred maintenance backlog of more than $100,000 each,” according to GAO.

House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairman Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) called the latest NAEP results a “devastating” blow to the nation’s economy and security.

“Today’s NAEP scores continue to show a devastating decline in math, science, and reading scores. Low academic skills don’t just hurt grades, they weaken our economy, workforce, and national security. Without strong foundations in these core subjects, America’s freedom and economic competitiveness will be in jeopardy,” Walberg said in a statement.

“Yet, for years, the Biden-Harris administration implemented an unworkable one-size-fits-all regime that expanded federal bureaucrats’ control. In fact, prolonged school closures, driven by teachers’ unions and Democrats, caused catastrophic damage to students’ educational outcomes and success. We continue to see the results of these student-last policies,” Walberg said.

“Today’s NAEP scores are a tragic reminder of what happens when we fail to put students first. Now, Republicans and the Trump administration are prioritizing students — working to ensure every child gains the skills essential to be successful. This is crucial to America’s success,” he added.