Library · Western Springs
Thomas Ford Memorial Library
Thomas Ford Memorial Library serves Western Springs’s 13,629 residents. Last year it logged 90,863 visits, about 6.7 for every resident, and lent 213K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Thomas Ford Memorial Library
800 Chestnut Street, Western Springs 60558
64 hrsopen a week
24,832sq ft
84Kbooks & media
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
#39
#39 of 262 · Most-used libraries in IL →Among IL towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#16 · Most library borrowing →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
91K
visits
6.7 per resident
213K
loans, print + digital
15.6 per resident
617
programs & events
23K attended
7,604
library cards
56% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 10,000 to 25,000 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 3.1
Higher than 89% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
15.6 print items · typical 3.9
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
1.7 attendees · typical 0.4
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
56% of residents
Higher than 75% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
213K loans last year
Books & media (adults)100%Kids’ books & media0%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
617 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$135 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $1.8M.
Local 96%State 2%Gifts & other 2%
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.