Library · New Britain
Libraries in New Britain
New Britain Public Library serves 74,080 people in and around New Britain from 2 locations. Last year it logged 164,323 visits, about 2.2 for every resident, and lent 250K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
New Britain Public Library
20 High St., New Britain 06051
57 hrsopen a week
58,600sq ft
198Kbooks & 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
#123
#123 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
164K
visits
2.2 per resident
250K
loans, print + digital
3.4 per resident
816
programs & events
14K attended
11K
library cards
15% 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
2.2 visits · typical 2.6
A little below typical (41th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
2.9 print items · typical 3.7
A little below typical (40th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.4 e-items · typical 1.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (20th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
1.2 kids’ items · typical 1.7
A little below typical (36th percentile)
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.3
A little below typical (27th percentile)
Cardholders
15% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (8th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
250K loans last year
Books & media (adults)53%Kids’ books & media34%E-books, audio & streaming13%
Who the programs are for
816 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$42 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $3.1M.
Local 92%State 0%Federal 0%Gifts & other 7%
Locations
Other libraries in New Britain
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.