Library · Fitchburg
Fitchburg Public Library
Fitchburg Public Library serves Fitchburg’s 41,502 residents. Last year it logged 80,000 visits, about 1.9 for every resident, and lent 65K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Fitchburg Public Library
610 Main St., Fitchburg 01420
47 hrsopen a week
49,605sq ft
100Kbooks & 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
#217
#217 of 255 · Most-used libraries in MA →Among MA towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#243 · Most library borrowing →#242 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
80K
visits
1.9 per resident
65K
loans, print + digital
1.6 per resident
367
programs & events
7,703 attended
16K
library cards
39% 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
1.9 visits · typical 2.6
A little below typical (34th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
1.6 print items · typical 3.7
Lower than most similar-size libraries (21th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.6 kids’ items · typical 1.7
Lower than most similar-size libraries (20th percentile)
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.3
A little below typical (25th percentile)
Cardholders
39% of residents
Higher than 50% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
65K loans last year
Books & media (adults)62%Kids’ books & media38%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
367 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$39 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $1.6M.
Local 89%State 8%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.