Library · Calais
Calais Free Library
Calais Free Library serves Calais’s 3,126 residents. Last year it logged 11,885 visits, about 3.8 for every resident, and lent 13K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Calais Free Library
9 Union Street, Calais 04619
36 hrsopen a week
4,680sq ft
43Kbooks & media
Charges late finesLate fees on some overdue items
E-books & audiobooksBorrow from home with your card
Research databasesOnline courses, journals, genealogy and more
#32
#32 of 98 · Most-used libraries in ME →Among ME towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#46 · Most library borrowing →#46 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
12K
visits
3.8 per resident
13K
loans, print + digital
4.3 per resident
159
programs & events
1,395 attended
5,770
library cards
100% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 2,500 to 10,000 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
3.8 visits · typical 3.0
Higher than 62% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
4.0 print items · typical 3.8
Higher than 52% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
0.3 e-items · typical 1.0
Lower than most similar-size libraries (19th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
1.5 kids’ items · typical 1.6
A little below typical (47th percentile)
Program attendance
0.4 attendees · typical 0.5
A little below typical (46th percentile)
Cardholders
100% of residents
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
13K loans last year
Books & media (adults)58%Kids’ books & media35%E-books, audio & streaming7%
Who the programs are for
159 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$55 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $171K.
Local 80%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.