Library · Bessemer
Bessemer Public Library
Bessemer Public Library serves Bessemer’s 25,264 residents. Last year it logged 21,597 visits, about 0.9 for every resident, and lent 51K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Bessemer Public Library
400 19th Street N, Bessemer 35020
55 hrsopen a week
42,000sq ft
41Kbooks & media
Charges late finesLate fees on some overdue items
E-books & audiobooksBorrow from home with your card
Auto-renews loansBooks renew on their own if no one’s waiting
Research databasesOnline courses, journals, genealogy and more
#63
#63 of 71 · Most-used libraries in AL →Among AL towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#55 · Most library borrowing →#52 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
22K
visits
0.9 per resident
51K
loans, print + digital
2.0 per resident
317
programs & events
4,327 attended
9,617
library cards
38% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 25,000 to 100,000 people
Per-resident numbers, compared only with libraries of a similar size across the country, because a tiny town’s library always looks busier per person.
Visits per resident
0.9 visits · typical 2.6
Lower than most similar-size libraries (8th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
1.3 print items · typical 3.7
Lower than most similar-size libraries (16th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.7 e-items · typical 1.2
A little below typical (34th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.6 kids’ items · typical 1.7
Lower than most similar-size libraries (19th percentile)
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.3
Lower than most similar-size libraries (23th percentile)
Cardholders
38% of residents
A little below typical (48th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
51K loans last year
Books & media (adults)35%Kids’ books & media28%E-books, audio & streaming37%
Who the programs are for
317 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$48 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $1.2M.
Local 64%State 2%Federal 2%Gifts & other 32%
About these numbers
How to read this page
Hours are an averageThe survey reports a building’s public hours for the whole year. We divide by the weeks it was open, so check the library’s own site for today’s hours.
Compared by size“Similar-size” means libraries serving about as many people, nationwide. Per-resident numbers always flatter the smallest towns, so they’re never compared with big cities.
One year, the library’s own countLibraries report their own visits, loans and programs for fiscal year 2024. A library that didn’t respond keeps its address and hours here, with no numbers.
Source: Institute of Museum and Library Services, Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024. Distances are straight-line from the town center.