Library · Portland
Portland Public Library
Portland Public Library serves 9,428 people in and around Portland. Last year it logged 48,712 visits, about 5.2 for every resident, and lent 111K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Portland Public Library
20 Freestone Ave., Portland 06480
49 hrsopen a week
17,000sq ft
71Kbooks & 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
#39
#39 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
49K
visits
5.2 per resident
111K
loans, print + digital
11.8 per resident
366
programs & events
7,394 attended
3,194
library cards
34% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 2,500 to 10,000 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
5.2 visits · typical 3.0
Higher than 76% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
10.2 print items · typical 3.8
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
1.6 e-items · typical 1.0
Higher than 68% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
4.0 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Higher than 86% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.8 attendees · typical 0.5
Higher than 69% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
34% of residents
A little below typical (37th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
111K loans last year
Books & media (adults)52%Kids’ books & media34%E-books, audio & streaming14%
Who the programs are for
366 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$82 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $775K.
Local 95%State 1%Federal 0%Gifts & other 3%
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.