Library · Topeka
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
Topeka’s library is the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, a branch of Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, open about 78 hours a week.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024County system. Topeka’s branch belongs to Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, which serves 173,973 people. The yearly numbers below are for the whole system, not just this branch. A card works at every branch.
Your branch
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
1515 SW 10th Ave, Topeka 66604
78 hrsopen a week
178,600sq ft
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
E-books & audiobooksBorrow from home with your card
Auto-renews loansBooks renew on their own if no one’s waiting
Research databasesOnline courses, journals, genealogy and more
Fiscal year 2024
A year at Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
455K
visits
2.6 per resident
1.8M
loans, print + digital
10.2 per resident
2,888
programs & events
74K attended
136K
library cards
78% 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
2.6 visits · typical 2.1
Higher than 67% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
6.2 print items · typical 3.2
Higher than 80% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
4.0 e-items · typical 1.4
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
2.3 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Higher than 65% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.4 attendees · typical 0.2
Higher than 84% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
78% of residents
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
1.8M loans last year
Books & media (adults)38%Kids’ books & media22%E-books, audio & streaming39%
Who the programs are for
2,888 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$116 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $2M.
Local 92%State 0%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.