Library · Lowell
Samuel S. Pollard Memorial Library
Samuel S. Pollard Memorial Library serves Lowell’s 113,608 residents. Last year it logged 106,036 visits, about 0.9 for every resident, and lent 106K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Samuel S. Pollard Memorial Library
401 Merrimack St., Lowell 01852
62 hrsopen a week
46,000sq ft
160Kbooks & media
Charges late finesLate fees on some overdue items
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
#239
#239 of 255 · Most-used libraries in MA →Among MA towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#250 · Most library borrowing →#250 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
106K
visits
0.9 per resident
106K
loans, print + digital
0.9 per resident
836
programs & events
12K attended
22K
library cards
19% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 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
0.9 visits · typical 2.1
Lower than most similar-size libraries (8th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
0.9 print items · typical 3.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (7th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.4 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Lower than most similar-size libraries (8th percentile)
Program attendance
0.1 attendees · typical 0.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (14th percentile)
Cardholders
19% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (11th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
106K loans last year
Books & media (adults)57%Kids’ books & media43%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
836 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$17 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $1.9M.
Local 84%State 16%Gifts & other 0%
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.