Library · Birmingham
Libraries in Birmingham
Birmingham Public Library serves Birmingham’s 196,910 residents from 18 locations. Last year it logged 891,495 visits, about 4.5 for every resident, and lent 624K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Birmingham Public - Central Branch
2100 Park Place, Birmingham 35203
52 hrsopen a week
229,800sq ft
762Kbooks & 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
#30
#30 of 221 AL libraries for visits per residentAmong every public library system in Alabama that reported visits
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
891K
visits
4.5 per resident
624K
loans, print + digital
3.2 per resident
2,871
programs & events
71K attended
76K
library cards
39% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 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
4.5 visits · typical 2.1
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
1.8 print items · typical 3.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (21th percentile)
Digital borrowing
1.4 e-items · typical 1.4
A little below typical (49th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.7 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Lower than most similar-size libraries (16th percentile)
Program attendance
0.4 attendees · typical 0.2
Higher than 79% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
39% of residents
A little below typical (46th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
624K loans last year
Books & media (adults)36%Kids’ books & media22%E-books, audio & streaming43%
Who the programs are for
2,871 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$73 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $14M.
Local 96%State 1%Federal 0%Gifts & other 3%
Locations
Other libraries in Birmingham
And 6 more in Birmingham.
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.