Library · Westfield
Westfield Athenaeum
Westfield Athenaeum serves Westfield’s 40,535 residents. Last year it logged 100,062 visits, about 2.5 for every resident, and lent 147K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Westfield Athenaeum
6 Elm St., Westfield 01085
57 hrsopen a week
40,000sq ft
53Kbooks & 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
#196
#196 of 255 · Most-used libraries in MA →Among MA towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#204 · Most library borrowing →#223 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
100K
visits
2.5 per resident
147K
loans, print + digital
3.6 per resident
309
programs & events
4,588 attended
15K
library cards
38% 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
2.5 visits · typical 2.6
A little below typical (47th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
3.6 print items · typical 3.7
A little below typical (49th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
1.3 kids’ items · typical 1.7
A little below typical (39th percentile)
Program attendance
0.1 attendees · typical 0.3
Lower than most similar-size libraries (12th percentile)
Cardholders
38% of residents
A little below typical (47th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
147K loans last year
Books & media (adults)65%Kids’ books & media35%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
309 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$38 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $1.5M.
Local 72%State 8%Gifts & other 20%
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.