Library · Wakefield
Lucius Beebe Memorial Library
Lucius Beebe Memorial Library serves Wakefield’s 27,069 residents. Last year it logged 167,767 visits, about 6.2 for every resident, and lent 284K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Lucius Beebe Memorial Library
345 Main Street, Wakefield 01880
65 hrsopen a week
28,000sq ft
90Kbooks & 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
#65
#65 of 255 · Most-used libraries in MA →Among MA towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#68 · Most library borrowing →#47 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
168K
visits
6.2 per resident
284K
loans, print + digital
10.5 per resident
644
programs & events
20K attended
15K
library cards
57% 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
6.2 visits · typical 2.6
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
10.5 print items · typical 3.7
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
5.9 kids’ items · typical 1.7
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.7 attendees · typical 0.3
Higher than 88% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
57% of residents
Higher than 77% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
284K loans last year
Books & media (adults)44%Kids’ books & media56%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
644 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$89 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $2.4M.
Local 88%State 3%Federal 0%Gifts & other 9%
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.