Library · Creston
Matilda J. Gibson Memorial Library
Matilda J. Gibson Memorial Library serves Creston’s 12,144 residents. Last year it logged 22,774 visits, about 1.9 for every resident, and lent 31K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Matilda J. Gibson Memorial Library
200 W Howard St., Creston 50801
48 hrsopen a week
7,831sq ft
38Kbooks & media
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
#449
#449 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
23K
visits
1.9 per resident
31K
loans, print + digital
2.5 per resident
413
programs & events
6,624 attended
4,463
library cards
37% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 10,000 to 25,000 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
1.9 visits · typical 3.1
A little below typical (28th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
2.5 print items · typical 3.9
A little below typical (31th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
1.1 kids’ items · typical 1.8
A little below typical (35th percentile)
Program attendance
0.5 attendees · typical 0.4
Higher than 61% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
37% of residents
A little below typical (44th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
31K loans last year
Books & media (adults)54%Kids’ books & media46%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
413 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$27 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $324K.
Local 96%State 1%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.