Library · Lexington
Cary Memorial Library
Cary Memorial Library serves Lexington’s 34,074 residents. Last year it logged 378,991 visits, about 11.1 for every resident, and lent 688K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Cary Memorial Library
1874 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington 02420
63 hrsopen a week
62,000sq ft
243Kbooks & 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
#14
#14 of 255 · Most-used libraries in MA →Among MA towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#4 · Most library borrowing →#15 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
379K
visits
11.1 per resident
688K
loans, print + digital
20.2 per resident
974
programs & events
30K attended
23K
library cards
68% 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
11.1 visits · typical 2.6
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
20.2 print items · typical 3.7
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
10.4 kids’ items · typical 1.7
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.9 attendees · typical 0.3
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
68% of residents
Higher than 86% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
688K loans last year
Books & media (adults)48%Kids’ books & media52%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
974 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$125 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $4.2M.
Local 96%Gifts & other 4%
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.