Library · Bardstown
Nelson County Public Library
Bardstown’s library is the Nelson County Public Library, a branch of Nelson County Public Library, open about 54 hours a week.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024County system. Bardstown’s branch belongs to Nelson County Public Library, which serves 47,730 people. The yearly numbers below are for the whole system, not just this branch. A card works at every branch.
Your branch
Nelson County Public Library
201 Cathedral Manor, Bardstown 40004
54 hrsopen a week
25,842sq ft
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
E-books & audiobooksBorrow from home with your card
Research databasesOnline courses, journals, genealogy and more
Fiscal year 2024
A year at Nelson County Public Library
135K
visits
2.8 per resident
225K
loans, print + digital
4.7 per resident
1,831
programs & events
30K attended
14K
library cards
29% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 25,000 to 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
2.8 visits · typical 2.6
Higher than 55% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
3.1 print items · typical 3.7
A little below typical (42th percentile)
Digital borrowing
1.6 e-items · typical 1.2
Higher than 63% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
1.4 kids’ items · typical 1.7
A little below typical (43th percentile)
Program attendance
0.6 attendees · typical 0.3
Higher than 82% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
29% of residents
A little below typical (29th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
225K loans last year
Books & media (adults)37%Kids’ books & media29%E-books, audio & streaming34%
Who the programs are for
1,831 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$53 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $2.6M.
Local 95%State 2%Gifts & other 3%
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.