Library · Washington
Libraries in Washington
District of Columbia Public Library serves 702,250 people in and around Washington from 27 locations. Last year it logged 3,374,454 visits, about 4.8 for every resident, and lent 6.6M books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
901 G Street NW, Washington 20001
64 hrsopen a week
440,000sq ft
1.2Mbooks & 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
#1
#1 of 1 DC libraries for visits per residentAmong every public library system in District of Columbia that reported visits
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
3.4M
visits
4.8 per resident
6.6M
loans, print + digital
9.5 per resident
9,240
programs & events
266K attended
433K
library cards
62% 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
4.8 visits · typical 2.1
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
5.5 print items · typical 3.2
Higher than 74% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
4.0 e-items · typical 1.4
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
3.0 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Higher than 78% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.4 attendees · typical 0.2
Higher than 80% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
62% of residents
Higher than 80% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
6.6M loans last year
Books & media (adults)26%Kids’ books & media32%E-books, audio & streaming42%
Who the programs are for
9,240 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$121 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $85M.
Local 96%Federal 2%Gifts & other 2%
Locations
Other libraries in Washington
And 14 more in Washington.
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.