Library · Emerson
Emerson Public Library
Emerson Public Library serves Emerson’s 1,026 residents. Last year it logged 1,625 visits, about 1.6 for every resident, and lent 1,264 books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Emerson Public Library
701 Morton Ave, Emerson 51533
20 hrsopen a week
1,400sq ft
8,568books & media
#471
#471 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
1,625
visits
1.6 per resident
1,264
loans, print + digital
1.2 per resident
65
programs & events
615 attended
355
library cards
35% 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
1.6 visits · typical 3.5
Lower than most similar-size libraries (17th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
1.2 print items · typical 3.9
Lower than most similar-size libraries (13th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.5 kids’ items · typical 1.4
Lower than most similar-size libraries (24th percentile)
Program attendance
0.6 attendees · typical 0.7
A little below typical (45th percentile)
Cardholders
35% of residents
A little below typical (29th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
1,264 loans last year
Books & media (adults)57%Kids’ books & media43%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
65 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$26 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $54. Operating budget $26K.
Local 88%Gifts & other 12%
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.