Library · What Cheer
What Cheer Public Library
What Cheer Public Library serves What Cheer’s 1,422 residents. Last year it logged 572 visits, about 0.4 for every resident, and lent 1,383 books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
What Cheer Public Library
308 S Barnes St., What Cheer 50268
20 hrsopen a week
950sq ft
6,524books & media
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
#513
#513 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
572
visits
0.4 per resident
1,383
loans, print + digital
1.0 per resident
1
programs & events
25 attended
753
library cards
53% 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
0.4 visits · typical 3.5
Lower than most similar-size libraries (2th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
1.0 print items · typical 3.9
Lower than most similar-size libraries (9th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.1 kids’ items · typical 1.4
Lower than most similar-size libraries (4th percentile)
Program attendance
0.0 attendees · typical 0.7
Lower than most similar-size libraries (5th percentile)
Cardholders
53% of residents
A little below typical (48th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
1,383 loans last year
Books & media (adults)94%Kids’ books & media6%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
1 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$11 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $54. Operating budget $16K.
Local 43%Gifts & other 57%
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.