Library · Merrill
Merrill Public Library
Merrill Public Library serves Merrill’s 2,082 residents. Last year it logged 2,176 visits, about 1.0 for every resident, and lent 5,200 books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Merrill Public Library
608 Main St., Merrill 51038
22 hrsopen a week
2,490sq ft
8,463books & media
Charges late finesLate fees on some overdue items
#491
#491 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
2,176
visits
1.0 per resident
5,200
loans, print + digital
2.5 per resident
95
programs & events
964 attended
359
library cards
17% 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
1.0 visits · typical 3.5
Lower than most similar-size libraries (9th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
2.5 print items · typical 3.9
A little below typical (32th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.5 kids’ items · typical 1.4
Lower than most similar-size libraries (21th percentile)
Program attendance
0.5 attendees · typical 0.7
A little below typical (37th percentile)
Cardholders
17% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (8th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
5,200 loans last year
Books & media (adults)82%Kids’ books & media18%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
95 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 $54K.
Local 97%State 2%Gifts & other 1%
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.