Library · San Diego
Libraries in San Diego
San Diego Public Library serves San Diego’s 1,385,379 residents from 36 locations. Last year it logged 5,058,242 visits, about 3.7 for every resident, and lent 6.2M books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
San Diego Central Library
820 E St., San Diego 92101
50 hrsopen a week
497,652sq ft
2.3Mbooks & 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
#43
#43 of 117 · Most-used libraries in CA →Among CA towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#67 · Most library borrowing →#65 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
5.1M
visits
3.7 per resident
6.2M
loans, print + digital
4.4 per resident
16K
programs & events
426K attended
312K
library cards
23% 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
3.7 visits · typical 2.1
Higher than 87% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
3.9 print items · typical 3.2
Higher than 60% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
0.6 e-items · typical 1.4
Lower than most similar-size libraries (20th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
2.0 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Higher than 60% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.3 attendees · typical 0.2
Higher than 72% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
23% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (17th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
6.2M loans last year
Books & media (adults)42%Kids’ books & media45%E-books, audio & streaming13%
Who the programs are for
16,482 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$54 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $75M.
Local 91%State 4%Federal 0%Gifts & other 5%
Locations
Other libraries in San Diego
And 24 more in San Diego.
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.