Library · Palo Alto
Libraries in Palo Alto
Palo Alto City Library serves Palo Alto’s 67,973 residents from 5 locations. Last year it logged 665,809 visits, about 9.8 for every resident, and lent 1.4M books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
College Terrace Library
2300 Wellesley St., Palo Alto 94306
27 hrsopen a week
2,392sq ft
286Kbooks & 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
#10
#10 of 117 · Most-used libraries in CA →Among CA towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#6 · Most library borrowing →#6 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
666K
visits
9.8 per resident
1.4M
loans, print + digital
19.9 per resident
946
programs & events
51K attended
56K
library cards
83% 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
9.8 visits · typical 2.6
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
16.0 print items · typical 3.7
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
3.9 e-items · typical 1.2
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
10.5 kids’ items · typical 1.7
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.8 attendees · typical 0.3
Higher than 88% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
83% of residents
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
1.4M loans last year
Books & media (adults)28%Kids’ books & media53%E-books, audio & streaming19%
Who the programs are for
946 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$165 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $11M.
Local 99%State 0%Gifts & other 1%
Locations
Other libraries in Palo Alto
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.