Library · Pittsfield
Berkshire Athenaeum
Berkshire Athenaeum serves Pittsfield’s 43,310 residents. Last year it logged 144,093 visits, about 3.3 for every resident, and lent 169K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Berkshire Athenaeum
1 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield 01201
61 hrsopen a week
53,000sq ft
154Kbooks & 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
#165
#165 of 255 · Most-used libraries in MA →Among MA towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#196 · Most library borrowing →#216 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
144K
visits
3.3 per resident
169K
loans, print + digital
3.9 per resident
447
programs & events
7,358 attended
24K
library cards
55% 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
3.3 visits · typical 2.6
Higher than 64% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
3.9 print items · typical 3.7
Higher than 52% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
1.3 kids’ items · typical 1.7
A little below typical (41th percentile)
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.3
Lower than most similar-size libraries (22th percentile)
Cardholders
55% of residents
Higher than 75% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
169K loans last year
Books & media (adults)66%Kids’ books & media34%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
447 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$33 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $1.4M.
Local 80%State 7%Gifts & other 14%
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.