Library · Plainwell
Charles A. Ransom District Library
Plainwell’s library is the Charles A. Ransom District Library, a branch of Charles A. Ransom District Library, open about 60 hours a week.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Multi-county system. Plainwell’s branch belongs to Charles A. Ransom District Library, which serves 15,489 people. The yearly numbers below are for the whole system, not just this branch. A card works at every branch.
Your branch
Charles A. Ransom District Library
180 South Sherwood Avenue, Plainwell 49080
60 hrsopen a week
20,000sq ft
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
Fiscal year 2024
A year at Charles A. Ransom District Library
59K
visits
3.8 per resident
162K
loans, print + digital
10.5 per resident
594
programs & events
13K attended
12K
library cards
81% 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
3.8 visits · typical 3.1
Higher than 62% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
10.5 print items · typical 3.9
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
4.7 kids’ items · typical 1.8
Higher than 88% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.8 attendees · typical 0.4
Higher than 80% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
81% of residents
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
162K loans last year
Books & media (adults)55%Kids’ books & media45%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
594 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$56 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $871K.
Local 97%State 2%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.