Library · Watsonville
Libraries in Watsonville
Watsonville Public Library serves Watsonville’s 51,032 residents from 2 locations. Last year it logged 105,907 visits, about 2.1 for every resident, and lent 134K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Watsonville Main Library
275 Main St., Suite 100, Watsonville 95076
48 hrsopen a week
42,000sq ft
109Kbooks & 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
#74
#74 of 117 · Most-used libraries in CA →Among CA towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#87 · Most library borrowing →#94 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
106K
visits
2.1 per resident
134K
loans, print + digital
2.6 per resident
1,052
programs & events
15K attended
32K
library cards
63% 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
2.1 visits · typical 2.6
A little below typical (38th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
2.2 print items · typical 3.7
A little below typical (30th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.4 e-items · typical 1.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (18th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.9 kids’ items · typical 1.7
A little below typical (30th percentile)
Program attendance
0.3 attendees · typical 0.3
A little below typical (45th percentile)
Cardholders
63% of residents
Higher than 81% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
134K loans last year
Books & media (adults)50%Kids’ books & media35%E-books, audio & streaming15%
Who the programs are for
1,052 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$93 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $4.7M.
Local 99%State 1%Gifts & other 0%
Locations
Other libraries in Watsonville
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.