Library · San Jose
Libraries in San Jose
San Jose Public Library serves San Jose’s 969,491 residents from 25 locations. Last year it logged 3,679,282 visits, about 3.8 for every resident, and lent 7.9M books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
150 E San Fernando Street, San Jose 95112
69 hrsopen a week
475,000sq ft
2Mbooks & 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
#40
#40 of 117 · Most-used libraries in CA →Among CA towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#42 · Most library borrowing →#39 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
3.7M
visits
3.8 per resident
7.9M
loans, print + digital
8.2 per resident
21K
programs & events
535K attended
762K
library cards
79% 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
3.8 visits · typical 2.1
Higher than 88% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
5.9 print items · typical 3.2
Higher than 78% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
2.2 e-items · typical 1.4
Higher than 69% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
3.6 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Higher than 84% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.6 attendees · typical 0.2
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
79% of residents
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
7.9M loans last year
Books & media (adults)29%Kids’ books & media44%E-books, audio & streaming27%
Who the programs are for
21,439 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$65 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $63M.
Local 98%State 1%Federal 0%Gifts & other 1%
Locations
Other libraries in San Jose
And 13 more in San Jose.
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.