Library · Waterloo
Waterloo Public Library
Waterloo Public Library serves Waterloo’s 68,052 residents. Last year it logged 136,785 visits, about 2.0 for every resident, and lent 202K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Waterloo Public Library
415 Commercial St., Waterloo 50701
62 hrsopen a week
65,000sq ft
98Kbooks & media
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
#45
#45 of 51 · Most-used libraries in IA →Among IA towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#41 · Most library borrowing →#43 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
137K
visits
2.0 per resident
202K
loans, print + digital
3.0 per resident
416
programs & events
11K attended
42K
library cards
62% 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
2.0 visits · typical 2.6
A little below typical (36th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
3.0 print items · typical 3.7
A little below typical (40th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
1.0 kids’ items · typical 1.7
A little below typical (32th percentile)
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.3
Lower than most similar-size libraries (20th percentile)
Cardholders
62% of residents
Higher than 81% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
202K loans last year
Books & media (adults)66%Kids’ books & media34%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
416 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$41 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $2.8M.
Local 97%State 1%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.