Library · Bethel
Bethel Public Library
Bethel Public Library serves 20,678 people in and around Bethel. Last year it logged 90,740 visits, about 4.4 for every resident, and lent 144K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Bethel Public Library
189 Greenwood Ave., Bethel 06801
53 hrsopen a week
28,900sq ft
93Kbooks & 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
#60
#60 of 173 CT libraries for visits per residentAmong every public library system in Connecticut that reported visits
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
91K
visits
4.4 per resident
144K
loans, print + digital
7.0 per resident
1,185
programs & events
18K attended
6,671
library cards
32% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 10,000 to 25,000 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
4.4 visits · typical 3.1
Higher than 71% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
5.5 print items · typical 3.9
Higher than 67% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
1.5 e-items · typical 1.1
Higher than 63% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
2.8 kids’ items · typical 1.8
Higher than 70% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.9 attendees · typical 0.4
Higher than 83% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
32% of residents
A little below typical (36th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
144K loans last year
Books & media (adults)39%Kids’ books & media40%E-books, audio & streaming21%
Who the programs are for
1,185 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$56 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $1.2M.
Local 90%State 1%Gifts & other 9%
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.