Library · Baltimore
Libraries in Baltimore
Enoch Pratt Free Library serves Baltimore’s 576,498 residents from 21 locations. Last year it logged 1,192,264 visits, about 2.1 for every resident, and lent 2.4M books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Enoch Pratt Central
400 Cathedral St., Baltimore 21201
51 hrsopen a week
349,713sq ft
2.2Mbooks & 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
#20
#20 of 26 MD libraries for visits per residentAmong every public library system in Maryland that reported visits
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
1.2M
visits
2.1 per resident
2.4M
loans, print + digital
4.2 per resident
9,352
programs & events
115K attended
234K
library cards
41% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 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
2.1 visits · typical 2.1
A little below typical (49th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
2.2 print items · typical 3.2
A little below typical (31th percentile)
Digital borrowing
2.0 e-items · typical 1.4
Higher than 64% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
0.9 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Lower than most similar-size libraries (24th percentile)
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.2
A little below typical (46th percentile)
Cardholders
41% of residents
A little below typical (48th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
2.4M loans last year
Books & media (adults)31%Kids’ books & media22%E-books, audio & streaming48%
Who the programs are for
9,352 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$93 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $54M.
Local 36%State 14%Federal 3%Gifts & other 46%
Locations
Other libraries in Baltimore
And 9 more in Baltimore.
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.