Library · Waterbury
Libraries in Waterbury
Silas Bronson Library serves 114,990 people in and around Waterbury from 2 locations. Last year it logged 151,845 visits, about 1.3 for every resident, and lent 127K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Silas Bronson Library
267 Grand St., Waterbury 06702
56 hrsopen a week
51,500sq ft
281Kbooks & 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
#155
#155 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
152K
visits
1.3 per resident
127K
loans, print + digital
1.1 per resident
717
programs & events
9,848 attended
24K
library cards
21% 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
1.3 visits · typical 2.1
Lower than most similar-size libraries (19th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
1.0 print items · typical 3.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (8th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.2 e-items · typical 1.4
Lower than most similar-size libraries (4th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.6 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Lower than most similar-size libraries (12th percentile)
Program attendance
0.1 attendees · typical 0.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (9th percentile)
Cardholders
21% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (15th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
127K loans last year
Books & media (adults)36%Kids’ books & media50%E-books, audio & streaming14%
Who the programs are for
717 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$22 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $2.6M.
Local 95%State 0%Gifts & other 5%
Locations
Other libraries in Waterbury
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.