Library · Chester
Chester Public Library
Chester Public Library serves Chester’s 6,814 residents. Last year it logged 9,045 visits, about 1.3 for every resident, and lent 12K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Chester Public Library
733 State Street, Chester 62233
38 hrsopen a week
9,108sq ft
26Kbooks & media
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
#236
#236 of 262 · Most-used libraries in IL →Among IL towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#233 · Most library borrowing →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
9,045
visits
1.3 per resident
12K
loans, print + digital
1.7 per resident
201
programs & events
2,719 attended
671
library cards
10% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 2,500 to 10,000 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
1.3 visits · typical 3.0
Lower than most similar-size libraries (19th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
1.7 print items · typical 3.8
Lower than most similar-size libraries (20th percentile)
Program attendance
0.4 attendees · typical 0.5
A little below typical (42th percentile)
Cardholders
10% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (3th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
12K loans last year
Books & media (adults)100%Kids’ books & media0%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
201 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$25 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $172K.
Local 80%State 11%Gifts & other 9%
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.