Library · Salem
Bryan-Bennett Library
Bryan-Bennett Library serves Salem’s 7,282 residents. Last year it logged 49,051 visits, about 6.7 for every resident, and lent 30K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Bryan-Bennett Library
315 South Maple Street, Salem 62881
46 hrsopen a week
13,716sq ft
38Kbooks & media
Charges late finesLate fees on some overdue items
E-books & audiobooksBorrow from home with your card
#40
#40 of 262 · Most-used libraries in IL →Among IL towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#150 · Most library borrowing →#16 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
49K
visits
6.7 per resident
30K
loans, print + digital
4.2 per resident
188
programs & events
3,318 attended
802
library cards
11% 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
6.7 visits · typical 3.0
Higher than 85% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
3.7 print items · typical 3.8
A little below typical (48th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.5 e-items · typical 1.0
A little below typical (29th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
1.5 kids’ items · typical 1.6
A little below typical (48th percentile)
Program attendance
0.5 attendees · typical 0.5
A little below typical (47th percentile)
Cardholders
11% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (4th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
30K loans last year
Books & media (adults)52%Kids’ books & media36%E-books, audio & streaming12%
Who the programs are for
188 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$30 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $222K.
Local 84%State 8%Federal 1%Gifts & other 7%
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.