Library · Wales
Wales Public Library
Wales Public Library serves Wales’s 1,807 residents. Last year it logged 1,386 visits, about 0.8 for every resident, and lent 2,412 books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Wales Public Library
77 Main St., Wales 01081
18 hrsopen a week
2,204sq ft
9,954books & 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
#349
#349 of 364 MA libraries for visits per residentAmong every public library system in Massachusetts that reported visits
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
1,386
visits
0.8 per resident
2,412
loans, print + digital
1.3 per resident
16
programs & events
60 attended
439
library cards
24% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving under 2,500 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
0.8 visits · typical 3.5
Lower than most similar-size libraries (6th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
1.3 print items · typical 3.9
Lower than most similar-size libraries (14th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.3 kids’ items · typical 1.4
Lower than most similar-size libraries (14th percentile)
Program attendance
0.0 attendees · typical 0.7
Lower than most similar-size libraries (7th percentile)
Cardholders
24% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (16th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
2,412 loans last year
Books & media (adults)78%Kids’ books & media22%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
16 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$43 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $54. Operating budget $77K.
Local 90%State 9%Gifts & other 1%
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.