Library · Waterville
Waterville Public Library
Waterville Public Library serves Waterville’s 16,823 residents. Last year it logged 38,654 visits, about 2.3 for every resident, and lent 74K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Waterville Public Library
73 Elm Street, Waterville 04901
33 hrsopen a week
18,953sq ft
70Kbooks & media
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
E-books & audiobooksBorrow from home with your card
Research databasesOnline courses, journals, genealogy and more
#56
#56 of 98 · Most-used libraries in ME →Among ME towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#43 · Most library borrowing →#31 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
39K
visits
2.3 per resident
74K
loans, print + digital
4.4 per resident
286
programs & events
8,081 attended
11K
library cards
66% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 10,000 to 25,000 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
2.3 visits · typical 3.1
A little below typical (36th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
4.1 print items · typical 3.9
Higher than 52% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
0.3 e-items · typical 1.1
Lower than most similar-size libraries (16th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
1.8 kids’ items · typical 1.8
A little below typical (49th percentile)
Program attendance
0.5 attendees · typical 0.4
Higher than 55% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
66% of residents
Higher than 84% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
74K loans last year
Books & media (adults)53%Kids’ books & media40%E-books, audio & streaming7%
Who the programs are for
286 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$57 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $961K.
Local 94%Gifts & other 6%
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.