TownTapestry
Sign inJoin
MAMassachusetts rankings

Towns with the most-used public libraries in Massachusetts

Ranked by library visits per resident in a year, at the public library that serves the town. 255 towns with 2,500+ residents.

IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024

Provincetown 1 Provincetown Barnstable County 27.5 per resident Provincetown Public Library West Tisbury 2 West Tisbury Dukes County 26.9 per resident West Tisbury Free Public Library Chatham 3 Chatham Barnstable County 19.8 per resident Eldredge Public Library
#TownVisits per residentLibraryVisits a year
1 Provincetown ProvincetownBarnstable County · 3,703 people 27.5 per resident Provincetown Public Library 102,342
2 West Tisbury West TisburyDukes County · 3,080 people 26.9 per resident West Tisbury Free Public Library 96,622
3 Chatham ChathamBarnstable County · 6,681 people 19.8 per resident Eldredge Public Library 131,587
4 ConcordMiddlesex County · 18,223 people 19.5 per resident Concord Free Public Library 349,529
5 Wellfleet WellfleetBarnstable County · 4,404 people 18.6 per resident Wellfleet Public Library 67,741
6 Edgartown EdgartownDukes County · 5,278 people 15.5 per resident Edgartown Free Public Library 81,480
7 Orleans OrleansBarnstable County · 6,415 people 14.4 per resident Snow Library 92,282
8 Ashby AshbyMiddlesex County · 3,211 people 13.5 per resident Ashby Free Public Library 42,823
9 Boxborough BoxboroughMiddlesex County · 5,496 people 13.4 per resident Sargent Memorial Library 72,500
10 Carlisle CarlisleMiddlesex County · 5,239 people 13.3 per resident Gleason Public Library 68,526
11 Townsend TownsendMiddlesex County · 9,100 people 12.9 per resident Townsend Public Library 115,000
12 Lenox LenoxBerkshire County · 5,079 people 12.4 per resident Lenox Library 62,746
13 Wellesley WellesleyNorfolk County · 30,347 people 11.2 per resident Wellesley Free Library 341,452
14 Lexington LexingtonMiddlesex County · 34,295 people 11.1 per resident Cary Memorial Library 378,991
15 Bedford BedfordMiddlesex County · 14,727 people 10.9 per resident Bedford Free Public Library 154,176
16 Weston WestonMiddlesex County · 11,579 people 10.9 per resident Weston Public Library 127,022
17 Eastham EasthamBarnstable County · 5,811 people 10.6 per resident Eastham Public Library 61,529
18 Oak Bluffs Oak BluffsDukes County · 5,407 people 10.6 per resident Oak Bluffs Public Library 56,875
19 Harvard HarvardWorcester County · 6,927 people 10.5 per resident Harvard Public Library 72,204
20 Cohasset CohassetNorfolk County · 8,427 people 10.2 per resident Paul Pratt Memorial Library 85,527
21 DoverNorfolk County · 5,930 people 10.2 per resident Dover Town Library 59,921
22 RockportEssex County · 7,009 people 9.8 per resident Rockport Public Library 67,767
23 Sunderland SunderlandFranklin County · 3,641 people 9.5 per resident Sunderland Public Library 34,641
24 Westford WestfordMiddlesex County · 24,690 people 9.4 per resident J. V. Fletcher Library 229,800
25 Williamsburg WilliamsburgHampshire County · 2,694 people 9.4 per resident Meekins Public Library 23,297
26 Sherborn SherbornMiddlesex County · 4,427 people 9.3 per resident Sherborn Library 40,625
27 TisburyDukes County · 4,893 people 9.2 per resident Vineyard Haven Public Library 44,911
28 Great Barrington Great BarringtonBerkshire County · 7,202 people 9.1 per resident Mason Library 65,595
29 Map of Shrewsbury ShrewsburyWorcester County · 38,876 people 9.0 per resident Shrewsbury Free Public Library 358,961
30 Needham NeedhamNorfolk County · 32,459 people 8.9 per resident Needham Free Public Library 286,538
31 Brookline BrooklineNorfolk County · 63,266 people 8.7 per resident Brookline Public Library 546,039
32 Lynnfield LynnfieldEssex County · 13,064 people 8.7 per resident Lynnfield Public Library 112,970
33 Westwood WestwoodNorfolk County · 16,318 people 8.6 per resident Westwood Public Library 138,983
34 MattapoisettPlymouth County · 6,634 people 8.6 per resident Mattapoisett Free Public Library 56,900
35 Sheffield SheffieldBerkshire County · 3,330 people 8.5 per resident Bushnell-Sage Library 28,335
36 Northfield NorthfieldFranklin County · 2,872 people 8.4 per resident Dickinson Memorial Library 24,213
37 Norwell NorwellPlymouth County · 11,361 people 8.2 per resident Norwell Public Library 92,335
38 Topsfield TopsfieldEssex County · 6,564 people 8.2 per resident Topsfield Town Library 53,452
39 Manchester-by-the-Sea Manchester-by-the-SeaEssex County · 5,403 people 8.2 per resident Manchester-By-The-Sea Pub. Library 43,655
40 Cambridge Cambridge118,796 people 8.1 per resident Cambridge Public Library 963,891
41 Duxbury DuxburyPlymouth County · 16,185 people 8.1 per resident Duxbury Free Library 130,161
42 Groton GrotonMiddlesex County · 11,390 people 8.1 per resident Groton Public Library 90,515
43 Williamstown WilliamstownBerkshire County · 9,150 people 8.1 per resident David & Joyce Milne Public Library 62,448
44 Lincoln LincolnMiddlesex County · 6,948 people 8.1 per resident Lincoln Public Library 55,726
45 Millis MillisNorfolk County · 8,888 people 7.8 per resident Millis Public Library 68,806
46 CantonNorfolk County · 24,748 people 7.7 per resident Canton Public Library 190,000
47 Winchester WinchesterMiddlesex County · 23,406 people 7.6 per resident Winchester Public Library 172,996
48 South HadleyHampshire County · 17,754 people 7.5 per resident South Hadley Public Library 135,338
49 Acton ActonMiddlesex County · 24,155 people 7.3 per resident Acton Memorial Library 174,545
50 Sudbury SudburyMiddlesex County · 19,306 people 7.3 per resident Goodnow Library 138,889
51 West Boylston West BoylstonWorcester County · 7,782 people 7.3 per resident Beaman Memorial Public Library 56,901
52 Littleton LittletonMiddlesex County · 10,280 people 7.2 per resident Reuben Hoar Library 73,455
53 West Newbury West NewburyEssex County · 4,591 people 7.0 per resident G. A. R. Memorial Library 32,112
54 Reading ReadingMiddlesex County · 25,612 people 6.9 per resident Reading Public Library 173,266
55 Newburyport Newburyport18,652 people 6.9 per resident Newburyport Public Library 129,513
56 West Brookfield West BrookfieldWorcester County · 3,859 people 6.9 per resident Merriam-Gilbert Public Library 26,187
57 Marshfield MarshfieldPlymouth County · 25,879 people 6.7 per resident Ventress Memorial Library 172,144
58 Map of Brewster BrewsterBarnstable County · 10,420 people 6.6 per resident Brewster Ladies' Library 68,611
59 Scituate ScituatePlymouth County · 19,365 people 6.5 per resident Scituate Town Library 124,270
60 Medfield MedfieldNorfolk County · 13,068 people 6.5 per resident Medfield Memorial Library 84,552
61 Holden HoldenWorcester County · 20,064 people 6.4 per resident Gale Free Library 127,205
62 Holliston HollistonMiddlesex County · 15,094 people 6.3 per resident Holliston Public Library 93,632
63 Harwich HarwichBarnstable County · 13,598 people 6.3 per resident Brooks Free Library 84,155
64 Malden Malden65,906 people 6.2 per resident Malden Public Library 398,500
65 Wakefield WakefieldMiddlesex County · 27,793 people 6.2 per resident Lucius Beebe Memorial Library 167,767
66 Northborough NorthboroughWorcester County · 15,750 people 6.2 per resident Northborough Free Library 97,157
67 Boylston BoylstonWorcester County · 4,948 people 6.2 per resident Boylston Public Library 30,750
68 Milton MiltonNorfolk County · 28,587 people 6.1 per resident Milton Public Library 173,696
69 Avon AvonNorfolk County · 4,774 people 6.1 per resident Avon Public Library 28,759
70 Hadley HadleyHampshire County · 5,306 people 6.0 per resident Hadley Public Library 31,617
71 Map of Foxborough FoxboroughNorfolk County · 18,615 people 5.9 per resident Boyden Library 108,573
72 Somerset SomersetBristol County · 18,298 people 5.9 per resident Somerset Public Library 106,649
73 Hingham HinghamPlymouth County · 24,283 people 5.8 per resident Hingham Public Library 138,934
74 Mashpee MashpeeBarnstable County · 15,384 people 5.8 per resident Mashpee Public Library 89,650
75 Dalton DaltonBerkshire County · 6,256 people 5.8 per resident Dalton Free Public Library 36,000
76 Rowley RowleyEssex County · 6,251 people 5.8 per resident Rowley Public Library 36,716
77 Falmouth FalmouthBarnstable County · 33,039 people 5.6 per resident Falmouth Public Library 182,488
78 Longmeadow LongmeadowHampden County · 15,696 people 5.6 per resident Richard Salter Storrs Library 88,014
79 Wayland WaylandMiddlesex County · 13,914 people 5.6 per resident Wayland Free Public Library 76,482
80 Lunenburg LunenburgWorcester County · 11,902 people 5.6 per resident Lunenburg Public Library 65,793
81 Maynard MaynardMiddlesex County · 10,712 people 5.6 per resident Maynard Public Library 58,781
82 West Bridgewater West BridgewaterPlymouth County · 7,708 people 5.6 per resident West Bridgewater Public Library 42,500
83 Deerfield DeerfieldFranklin County · 5,158 people 5.6 per resident Tilton Library 28,671
84 Andover AndoverEssex County · 36,652 people 5.5 per resident Memorial Hall Library 199,063
85 Brockton Brockton105,386 people 5.4 per resident Brockton Public Library 566,457
86 Rutland RutlandWorcester County · 9,353 people 5.4 per resident Rutland Free Public Library 50,304
87 Ipswich IpswichEssex County · 13,930 people 5.3 per resident Ipswich Public Library 73,429
88 Map of Westborough WestboroughWorcester County · 21,944 people 5.2 per resident Westborough Public Library 112,090
89 Charlton CharltonWorcester County · 13,435 people 5.2 per resident Charlton Public Library 68,832
90 Newton Newton89,044 people 5.1 per resident Newton Free Library 446,601
91 Mansfield MansfieldBristol County · 23,931 people 5.1 per resident Mansfield Public Library 121,316
92 Pepperell PepperellMiddlesex County · 11,663 people 5.1 per resident Lawrence Library 58,855
93 Newbury NewburyEssex County · 6,777 people 5.1 per resident Newbury Town Library 34,350
94 Somerville Somerville81,036 people 5.0 per resident Somerville Public Library 402,113
95 Natick NatickMiddlesex County · 36,873 people 5.0 per resident Morse Institute Library 150,000
96 Princeton PrincetonWorcester County · 3,529 people 5.0 per resident Princeton Public Library 17,695
97 Marblehead MarbleheadEssex County · 20,413 people 4.9 per resident Abbot Public Library 98,370
98 Belchertown BelchertownHampshire County · 15,393 people 4.9 per resident Clapp Memorial Library 74,723
99 Middleton MiddletonEssex County · 9,816 people 4.9 per resident Flint Public Library 48,293
100 Pembroke PembrokePlymouth County · 18,382 people 4.8 per resident Pembroke Public Library 87,321
101 Walpole WalpoleNorfolk County · 26,388 people 4.7 per resident Walpole Public Library 123,134
102 Medway MedwayNorfolk County · 13,436 people 4.7 per resident Medway Public Library 63,588
103 Southborough SouthboroughWorcester County · 10,493 people 4.7 per resident Southborough Public Library 48,404
104 Sturbridge SturbridgeWorcester County · 9,960 people 4.7 per resident Joshua Hyde Public Library 46,859
105 Granby GranbyHampshire County · 6,080 people 4.7 per resident Granby Free Public Library 28,500
106 Chelmsford ChelmsfordMiddlesex County · 36,446 people 4.6 per resident Chelmsford Public Library 166,064
107 Belmont BelmontMiddlesex County · 27,175 people 4.6 per resident Belmont Public Library 123,200
108 Nantucket NantucketNantucket County · 14,483 people 4.6 per resident Nantucket Atheneum 67,000
109 Blackstone BlackstoneWorcester County · 9,255 people 4.6 per resident Blackstone Free Public Library 42,502
110 Merrimac MerrimacEssex County · 6,748 people 4.6 per resident Merrimac Public Library 31,000
111 Bolton BoltonWorcester County · 5,737 people 4.6 per resident Bolton Public Library 26,604
112 Yarmouth YarmouthBarnstable County · 25,224 people 4.5 per resident Yarmouth Town Libraries 113,203
113 Sterling SterlingWorcester County · 8,183 people 4.5 per resident Conant Free Public Library 36,942
114 Mendon MendonWorcester County · 6,325 people 4.5 per resident Taft Public Library 28,424
115 Beverly Beverly42,665 people 4.4 per resident Beverly Public Library 184,385
116 Wilmington WilmingtonMiddlesex County · 23,336 people 4.4 per resident Wilmington Memorial Library 100,146
117 Salisbury SalisburyEssex County · 9,281 people 4.4 per resident Salisbury Public Library 40,609
118 Barre BarreWorcester County · 5,572 people 4.4 per resident Woods Memorial Library 24,171
119 Norwood NorwoodNorfolk County · 31,542 people 4.3 per resident Morrill Memorial Library 133,362
120 Upton UptonWorcester County · 8,189 people 4.3 per resident Upton Town Library 35,160
121 Woburn41,939 people 4.2 per resident Woburn Public Library 171,242
122 Seekonk SeekonkBristol County · 15,694 people 4.2 per resident Seekonk Public Library 66,413
123 Dartmouth DartmouthBristol County · 33,328 people 4.1 per resident Dartmouth Public Libraries 136,926
124 WilbrahamHampden County · 14,572 people 4.1 per resident Wilbraham Public Library 59,895
125 KingstonPlymouth County · 14,027 people 4.1 per resident Kingston Public Library 56,393
126 Millbury MillburyWorcester County · 13,961 people 4.1 per resident Millbury Public Library 57,553
127 Oxford OxfordWorcester County · 13,385 people 4.1 per resident Oxford Free Public Library 54,408
128 Boxford BoxfordEssex County · 8,208 people 4.1 per resident Boxford Town Library 33,575
129 Groveland GrovelandEssex County · 6,777 people 4.1 per resident Langley Adams Library 27,892
130 Map of Chelsea Chelsea39,908 people 4.0 per resident Chelsea Public Library 155,085
131 Bellingham BellinghamNorfolk County · 17,410 people 4.0 per resident Bellingham Public Library 69,870
132 Ashburnham AshburnhamWorcester County · 6,415 people 4.0 per resident Stevens Memorial Library 25,192
133 Marion MarionPlymouth County · 5,310 people 4.0 per resident Elizabeth Taber Library 21,138
134 Nahant NahantEssex County · 3,325 people 4.0 per resident Nahant Public Library 13,266
135 Waltham Waltham64,902 people 3.9 per resident Waltham Public Library 248,739
136 Gardner Gardner21,148 people 3.9 per resident Levi Heywood Memorial Library 82,227
137 Ashland AshlandMiddlesex County · 18,873 people 3.9 per resident Ashland Public Library 72,379
138 Plainville PlainvilleNorfolk County · 9,943 people 3.9 per resident Plainville Public Library 38,863
139 Southwick SouthwickHampden County · 9,217 people 3.9 per resident Southwick Public Library 35,814
140 Quincy Quincy102,114 people 3.8 per resident Thomas Crane Public Library 387,339
141 Framingham Framingham72,399 people 3.8 per resident Framingham Public Library 270,939
142 Lancaster LancasterWorcester County · 8,606 people 3.8 per resident Thayer Memorial Library 31,500
143 Dedham DedhamNorfolk County · 25,237 people 3.7 per resident Dedham Public Library 91,683
144 Hudson HudsonMiddlesex County · 20,077 people 3.7 per resident Hudson Public Library 73,585
145 WhitmanPlymouth County · 15,295 people 3.7 per resident Whitman Public Library 55,737
146 Halifax HalifaxPlymouth County · 7,748 people 3.7 per resident Holmes Public Library 28,249
147 Shirley ShirleyMiddlesex County · 6,976 people 3.7 per resident Hazen Memorial Library 25,153
148 Leominster Leominster43,909 people 3.6 per resident Leominster Public Library 155,441
149 Grafton GraftonWorcester County · 19,902 people 3.6 per resident Grafton Public Library 72,090
150 Abington AbingtonPlymouth County · 17,053 people 3.6 per resident Abington Public Library 61,669
151 Swampscott SwampscottEssex County · 15,277 people 3.6 per resident Swampscott Public Library 54,600
152 Lakeville LakevillePlymouth County · 11,944 people 3.6 per resident Lakeville Free Public Library 43,134
153 Georgetown GeorgetownEssex County · 8,474 people 3.6 per resident Georgetown Peabody Library 30,425
154 Milford MilfordWorcester County · 30,431 people 3.5 per resident Milford Town Library 106,685
155 Auburn AuburnWorcester County · 16,970 people 3.5 per resident Auburn Free Public Library 59,436
156 WestportBristol County · 16,484 people 3.5 per resident Westport Free Public Library 57,770
157 North ReadingMiddlesex County · 15,765 people 3.5 per resident Flint Memorial Library 54,037
158 Medford Medford59,354 people 3.4 per resident Charlotte and William Bloomberg Medford Public Library 224,584
159 Easton EastonBristol County · 25,316 people 3.4 per resident Ames Free Library of Easton, Inc. 85,967
160 Hopkinton HopkintonMiddlesex County · 19,358 people 3.4 per resident Hopkinton Public Library 65,165
161 Tyngsborough TyngsboroughMiddlesex County · 12,550 people 3.4 per resident Tyngsborough Public Library 41,914
162 Dudley DudleyWorcester County · 11,929 people 3.4 per resident Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library 40,257
163 WestminsterWorcester County · 8,374 people 3.4 per resident Forbush Memorial Library 28,150
164 Stow StowMiddlesex County · 7,165 people 3.4 per resident Randall Library 24,017
165 Pittsfield Pittsfield43,457 people 3.3 per resident Berkshire Athenaeum 144,093
166 Stoughton StoughtonNorfolk County · 29,225 people 3.3 per resident Stoughton Public Library 95,475
167 Norton NortonBristol County · 19,240 people 3.3 per resident Norton Public Library 62,868
168 Ayer AyerMiddlesex County · 8,645 people 3.3 per resident Ayer Library 28,017
169 Hatfield HatfieldHampshire County · 3,325 people 3.3 per resident Hatfield Public Library 11,020
170 Tewksbury TewksburyMiddlesex County · 31,273 people 3.2 per resident Tewksbury Public Library 99,260
171 Webster WebsterWorcester County · 17,748 people 3.2 per resident Gladys E. Kelly Public Library 56,553
172 Hanover HanoverPlymouth County · 14,845 people 3.2 per resident John Curtis Free Library 46,786
173 Montague MontagueFranklin County · 8,482 people 3.2 per resident Montague Public Libraries 27,314
174 Plymouth PlymouthPlymouth County · 63,953 people 3.1 per resident Plymouth Public Library 198,310
175 North Adams North Adams12,606 people 3.1 per resident North Adams Public Library 40,247
176 Adams AdamsBerkshire County · 8,074 people 3.1 per resident Adams Free Library 24,894
177 Hanson HansonPlymouth County · 10,660 people 3.0 per resident Hanson Public Library 32,160
178 Holland HollandHampden County · 2,583 people 3.0 per resident Holland Public Library 7,617
179 Melrose Melrose29,650 people 2.9 per resident Melrose Public Library 84,318
180 Middleborough MiddleboroughPlymouth County · 24,505 people 2.9 per resident Middleborough Public Library 71,893
181 East Bridgewater East BridgewaterPlymouth County · 14,456 people 2.9 per resident East Bridgewater Public Library 42,241
182 Rehoboth RehobothBristol County · 13,022 people 2.9 per resident Blanding Free Public Library 37,988
183 Dracut DracutMiddlesex County · 32,574 people 2.8 per resident Moses Greeley Parker Memorial Lib. 88,407
184 Saugus SaugusEssex County · 28,773 people 2.8 per resident Saugus Public Library 79,793
185 Holbrook HolbrookNorfolk County · 11,380 people 2.8 per resident Holbrook Public Library 31,751
186 Leicester LeicesterWorcester County · 11,113 people 2.8 per resident Leicester Public Library 30,798
187 Marlborough Marlborough41,647 people 2.7 per resident Marlborough Public Library 111,981
188 North Andover North AndoverEssex County · 31,490 people 2.7 per resident Stevens Memorial Library 84,187
189 Burlington BurlingtonMiddlesex County · 26,274 people 2.7 per resident Burlington Public Library 69,164
190 Lee LeeBerkshire County · 5,719 people 2.7 per resident Lee Library Association 15,641
191 Map of Paxton PaxtonWorcester County · 5,002 people 2.7 per resident Richards Memorial Library 13,689
192 Haverhill Haverhill67,698 people 2.6 per resident Haverhill Public Library 176,995
193 Billerica BillericaMiddlesex County · 42,003 people 2.6 per resident Billerica Public Library 108,269
194 Raynham RaynhamBristol County · 15,505 people 2.6 per resident Raynham Public Library 40,007
195 Brookfield BrookfieldWorcester County · 3,460 people 2.6 per resident Merrick Public Library 9,003
196 Westfield Westfield40,378 people 2.5 per resident Westfield Athenaeum 100,062
197 Stoneham StonehamMiddlesex County · 23,355 people 2.5 per resident Stoneham Public Library 56,578
198 Rockland RocklandPlymouth County · 17,701 people 2.5 per resident Rockland Memorial Library 43,764
199 Fairhaven FairhavenBristol County · 15,903 people 2.5 per resident Millicent Library 39,930
200 Southampton SouthamptonHampshire County · 6,230 people 2.5 per resident Edwards Public Library 15,283
201 Springfield Springfield154,749 people 2.4 per resident Springfield City Library 367,342
202 Chicopee Chicopee55,295 people 2.4 per resident Chicopee Public Library 129,538
203 Salem Salem44,795 people 2.4 per resident Salem Public Library 108,463
204 Uxbridge UxbridgeWorcester County · 14,473 people 2.4 per resident Uxbridge Free Public Library 34,022
205 Map of Winchendon WinchendonWorcester County · 10,440 people 2.4 per resident Beals Memorial Library 24,454
206 Hopedale HopedaleWorcester County · 6,027 people 2.4 per resident Bancroft Memorial Library 14,448
207 Clinton ClintonWorcester County · 15,563 people 2.3 per resident Bigelow Free Public Library 35,371
208 Athol AtholWorcester County · 12,011 people 2.3 per resident Athol Public Library 27,775
209 Worcester Worcester207,055 people 2.2 per resident Worcester Public Library 441,799
210 Gloucester Gloucester30,075 people 2.2 per resident Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Lib 66,776
211 Wareham WarehamPlymouth County · 23,302 people 2.2 per resident Wareham Free Library 50,392
212 Acushnet AcushnetBristol County · 10,624 people 2.2 per resident Acushnet Public Library 23,094
213 Sutton SuttonWorcester County · 9,452 people 2.2 per resident Sutton Free Public Library 20,401
214 Boston Boston666,442 people 2.1 per resident Boston Public Library 1,368,865
215 Attleboro Attleboro46,762 people 2.1 per resident Attleboro Public Library 98,203
216 Swansea SwanseaBristol County · 17,359 people 2.0 per resident Swansea Free Public Library 35,194
217 Fitchburg Fitchburg41,798 people 1.9 per resident Fitchburg Public Library 80,000
218 Ludlow LudlowHampden County · 20,904 people 1.9 per resident Hubbard Memorial Library 39,614
219 Map of Douglas DouglasWorcester County · 9,207 people 1.9 per resident Simon Fairfield Public Library 17,434
220 North Brookfield North BrookfieldWorcester County · 4,760 people 1.8 per resident Haston Free Public Library 8,451
221 New Bedford New Bedford100,998 people 1.7 per resident New Bedford Free Public Library 167,120
222 Hull HullPlymouth County · 10,138 people 1.7 per resident Hull Public Library 17,485
223 Orange OrangeFranklin County · 7,573 people 1.7 per resident Wheeler Memorial Library 13,185
224 Monson MonsonHampden County · 8,136 people 1.6 per resident Monson Free Library & Reading Room 12,588
225 Holyoke Holyoke37,813 people 1.5 per resident Holyoke Public Library 57,859
226 Northbridge NorthbridgeWorcester County · 16,458 people 1.5 per resident Whitinsville Social Library 24,880
227 Rochester RochesterPlymouth County · 5,837 people 1.5 per resident Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library 8,600
228 Dighton DightonBristol County · 8,193 people 1.4 per resident Dighton Public Library 11,528
229 Hampden HampdenHampden County · 4,946 people 1.4 per resident Hampden Free Public Library 6,821
230 Ware WareHampshire County · 10,048 people 1.3 per resident Young Men's Library Association 13,845
231 Map of Hubbardston HubbardstonWorcester County · 4,371 people 1.3 per resident Hubbardston Public Library 5,731
232 Lynn Lynn101,709 people 1.2 per resident Lynn Public Library 123,253
233 Fall River Fall River94,082 people 1.2 per resident Fall River Public Library 114,638
234 Berkley BerkleyBristol County · 6,829 people 1.2 per resident Berkley Public Library 8,189
235 BrimfieldHampden County · 3,705 people 1.2 per resident Brimfield Public Library 4,364
236 Carver CarverPlymouth County · 11,712 people 1.1 per resident Carver Public Library 12,500
237 Dunstable DunstableMiddlesex County · 3,408 people 1.1 per resident Dunstable Free Public Library 3,585
238 Plympton PlymptonPlymouth County · 2,935 people 1.0 per resident Plympton Public Library 3,000
239 Lowell Lowell118,368 people 0.9 per resident Samuel S. Pollard Memorial Library 106,036
240 Taunton Taunton60,433 people 0.9 per resident Taunton Public Library 55,596
241 Spencer SpencerWorcester County · 12,008 people 0.9 per resident Richard Sugden Public Library 11,200
242 Berlin BerlinWorcester County · 3,378 people 0.9 per resident Berlin Public Library 3,696
243 Lanesborough LanesboroughBerkshire County · 3,028 people 0.9 per resident Lanesborough Public Library 2,759
244 Lawrence Lawrence88,736 people 0.8 per resident Lawrence Public Library 69,291
245 Everett Everett50,045 people 0.8 per resident Everett Public Libraries 37,999
246 FreetownBristol County · 9,285 people 0.8 per resident James White Memorial Lib. 7,053
247 Cheshire CheshireBerkshire County · 3,216 people 0.8 per resident Cheshire Public Library 2,521
248 Sandwich SandwichBarnstable County · 20,522 people 0.7 per resident Sandwich Free Public Library 15,000
249 Bourne BourneBarnstable County · 20,323 people 0.7 per resident Jonathan Bourne Public Library 14,021
250 Sharon SharonNorfolk County · 18,574 people 0.7 per resident Sharon Public Library 12,600
251 Essex EssexEssex County · 3,701 people 0.7 per resident T.O.H.P. Burnham Free Library 2,699
252 Revere Revere60,012 people 0.5 per resident Revere Public Library 32,000
253 Millville MillvilleWorcester County · 3,160 people 0.5 per resident Millville Free Public Library 1,550
254 Wrentham WrenthamNorfolk County · 12,297 people 0.3 per resident Fiske Public Library 3,250
255 Templeton TempletonWorcester County · 8,252 people 0.2 per resident Boynton Public Library 1,945

How this ranking works

We rank every town by library visits per resident in a year, at the public library that serves the town. The highest figure ranks #1. Each library reports its own yearly numbers to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (fiscal year 2024), and each town’s Library page shows how it compares with libraries of a similar size nationwide.

A town is ranked only when its library system serves that town alone, and the library’s own count of the people it serves is within 20% of the town’s population. Towns served by a county or regional system, or sharing a library with a neighbor, can’t be credited with the numbers, so they aren’t ranked. Libraries that didn’t respond to the survey aren’t ranked either. Vacation towns can rank high because summer residents and visitors use the library too.

Only towns with at least 2,500 residents are ranked; Census estimates for smaller places are too uncertain. Population and income: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Libraries: IMLS Public Libraries Survey. Town photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each town’s page.

Same ranking in other states

AL AZ CA CO FL IL IA KS ME MA MI MN MO NE NH NJ NM NY OK OR PA RI SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WI All of the U.S.