Library · Ashfield
Belding Memorial Library
Belding Memorial Library serves Ashfield’s 1,688 residents. Last year it logged 4,900 visits, about 2.9 for every resident, and lent 29K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Belding Memorial Library
344 Main St., Ashfield 01330
18 hrsopen a week
5,550sq ft
17Kbooks & media
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
#249
#249 of 364 MA libraries for visits per residentAmong every public library system in Massachusetts that reported visits
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
4,900
visits
2.9 per resident
29K
loans, print + digital
17.1 per resident
140
programs & events
1,014 attended
1,019
library cards
60% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving under 2,500 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
2.9 visits · typical 3.5
A little below typical (41th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
17.1 print items · typical 3.9
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
6.4 kids’ items · typical 1.4
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.6 attendees · typical 0.7
A little below typical (45th percentile)
Cardholders
60% of residents
Higher than 55% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
29K loans last year
Books & media (adults)63%Kids’ books & media37%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
140 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$48 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $54. Operating budget $82K.
Local 72%State 6%Gifts & other 22%
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.