Library · Chicago
Libraries in Chicago
Chicago Public Library serves Chicago’s 2,746,388 residents from 81 locations. Last year it logged 4,871,365 visits, about 1.8 for every resident, and lent 11M books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Chicago Public Library
400 South State Street, Chicago 60605
72 hrsopen a week
756,000sq ft
5.4Mbooks & media
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
#215
#215 of 262 · Most-used libraries in IL →Among IL towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#154 · Most library borrowing →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
4.9M
visits
1.8 per resident
11M
loans, print + digital
3.9 per resident
25K
programs & events
406K attended
663K
library cards
24% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 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
1.8 visits · typical 2.1
A little below typical (36th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
3.9 print items · typical 3.2
Higher than 60% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.1 attendees · typical 0.2
A little below typical (26th percentile)
Cardholders
24% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (19th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
11M loans last year
Books & media (adults)100%Kids’ books & media0%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
25,213 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$46 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $126M.
Local 92%State 7%Federal 1%Gifts & other 0%
Locations
Other libraries in Chicago
And 68 more in Chicago.
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.