Library · New Bedford
Libraries in New Bedford
New Bedford Free Public Library serves New Bedford’s 100,682 residents from 5 locations. Last year it logged 167,120 visits, about 1.7 for every resident, and lent 170K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
New Bedford Free Public Library
613 Pleasant Street, New Bedford 02740
40,000sq ft
218Kbooks & 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
#221
#221 of 255 · Most-used libraries in MA →Among MA towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#241 · Most library borrowing →#246 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
167K
visits
1.7 per resident
170K
loans, print + digital
1.7 per resident
1,134
programs & events
14K attended
25K
library cards
25% 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
1.7 visits · typical 2.1
A little below typical (32th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
1.7 print items · typical 3.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (18th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.6 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Lower than most similar-size libraries (12th percentile)
Program attendance
0.1 attendees · typical 0.2
A little below typical (25th percentile)
Cardholders
25% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (21th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
170K loans last year
Books & media (adults)67%Kids’ books & media33%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
1,134 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$28 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $2.9M.
Local 87%State 10%Gifts & other 3%
Locations
Other libraries in New Bedford
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.