Library · Riverside
Libraries in Riverside
Riverside Public Library serves Riverside’s 316,690 residents from 8 locations. Last year it logged 457,276 visits, about 1.4 for every resident, and lent 886K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Riverside Public Main Library
3900 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside 92501
38 hrsopen a week
40,000sq ft
299Kbooks & 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
#94
#94 of 117 · Most-used libraries in CA →Among CA towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#84 · Most library borrowing →#81 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
457K
visits
1.4 per resident
886K
loans, print + digital
2.8 per resident
1,802
programs & events
71K attended
241K
library cards
76% 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
1.4 visits · typical 2.1
A little below typical (25th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
2.2 print items · typical 3.2
A little below typical (31th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.6 e-items · typical 1.4
Lower than most similar-size libraries (20th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
1.4 kids’ items · typical 1.6
A little below typical (45th percentile)
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.2
Higher than 54% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
76% of residents
Higher than 89% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
886K loans last year
Books & media (adults)27%Kids’ books & media52%E-books, audio & streaming21%
Who the programs are for
1,802 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$26 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $8.1M.
Local 89%State 4%Gifts & other 7%
Locations
Other libraries in Riverside
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.