Library · Tempe
Tempe Public Library
Tempe Public Library serves Tempe’s 193,336 residents. Last year it logged 394,905 visits, about 2.0 for every resident, and lent 940K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Tempe Public Library
3500 S Rural Rd, Tempe 85282
60 hrsopen a week
180,000sq ft
157Kbooks & media
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
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
#33
#33 of 41 · Most-used libraries in AZ →Among AZ towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#29 · Most library borrowing →#15 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
395K
visits
2.0 per resident
940K
loans, print + digital
4.9 per resident
1,161
programs & events
25K attended
73K
library cards
38% 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
2.0 visits · typical 2.1
A little below typical (48th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
2.8 print items · typical 3.2
A little below typical (42th percentile)
Digital borrowing
2.1 e-items · typical 1.4
Higher than 65% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
1.5 kids’ items · typical 1.6
A little below typical (47th percentile)
Program attendance
0.1 attendees · typical 0.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (20th percentile)
Cardholders
38% of residents
A little below typical (45th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
940K loans last year
Books & media (adults)26%Kids’ books & media31%E-books, audio & streaming43%
Who the programs are for
1,161 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$19 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $3.7M.
Local 96%State 0%Federal 0%Gifts & other 3%
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.