Library · Wilmington
Libraries in Wilmington
Wilmington Institute Library serves Wilmington’s 54,227 residents from 2 locations. Last year it logged 191,320 visits, about 3.5 for every resident, and lent 98K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Wilmington Institute Library
10 East 10th Street, Wilmington 19801
54 hrsopen a week
45,592sq ft
164Kbooks & 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
#8
#8 of 21 DE libraries for visits per residentAmong every public library system in Delaware that reported visits
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
191K
visits
3.5 per resident
98K
loans, print + digital
1.8 per resident
365
programs & events
58K attended
14K
library cards
25% 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
3.5 visits · typical 2.6
Higher than 68% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
1.4 print items · typical 3.7
Lower than most similar-size libraries (18th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.4 e-items · typical 1.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (20th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.5 kids’ items · typical 1.7
Lower than most similar-size libraries (14th percentile)
Program attendance
1.1 attendees · typical 0.3
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
25% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (21th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
98K loans last year
Books & media (adults)51%Kids’ books & media25%E-books, audio & streaming24%
Who the programs are for
365 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$53 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $2.9M.
Local 74%State 19%Federal 0%Gifts & other 7%
Locations
Other libraries in Wilmington
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.