Library · Chelsea
Chelsea Public Library
Chelsea Public Library serves Chelsea’s 338 residents. Last year it logged 1,812 visits, about 5.4 for every resident, and lent 711 books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Chelsea Public Library
515 Station St., Chelsea 52215
21 hrsopen a week
1,124sq ft
6,068books & media
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
#144
#144 of 515 IA libraries for visits per residentAmong every public library system in Iowa that reported visits
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
1,812
visits
5.4 per resident
711
loans, print + digital
2.1 per resident
75
programs & events
426 attended
176
library cards
52% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving under 2,500 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
5.4 visits · typical 3.5
Higher than 70% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
2.1 print items · typical 3.9
A little below typical (26th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.8 kids’ items · typical 1.4
A little below typical (33th percentile)
Program attendance
1.3 attendees · typical 0.7
Higher than 71% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
52% of residents
A little below typical (48th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
711 loans last year
Books & media (adults)63%Kids’ books & media37%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
75 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$86 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $54. Operating budget $29K.
Local 79%State 5%Gifts & other 16%
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.