Library · Bridgewater
Bridgewater Public Library
Bridgewater Public Library serves 28,780 people in and around Bridgewater. Last year it logged 63,063 visits, about 2.2 for every resident, and lent 82K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Bridgewater Public Library
15 South St., Bridgewater 02324
54 hrsopen a week
25,610sq ft
62Kbooks & 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
#289
#289 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
63K
visits
2.2 per resident
82K
loans, print + digital
2.8 per resident
568
programs & events
14K attended
8,156
library cards
28% 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
2.2 visits · typical 2.6
A little below typical (41th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
2.8 print items · typical 3.7
A little below typical (39th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
1.3 kids’ items · typical 1.7
A little below typical (40th percentile)
Program attendance
0.5 attendees · typical 0.3
Higher than 72% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
28% of residents
A little below typical (27th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
82K loans last year
Books & media (adults)54%Kids’ books & media46%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
568 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$32 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $915K.
Local 91%State 9%Gifts & other 1%
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.