Library · Houston
Houston Public Library
Houston’s library is the Houston Public Library, a branch of Houston Public Library, open about 31 hours a week.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Multi-county system. Houston’s branch belongs to Houston Public Library, which serves 3,126 people. The yearly numbers below are for the whole system, not just this branch. A card works at every branch.
Your branch
Houston Public Library
202 East Cedar Street, Houston 55943
31 hrsopen a week
2,248sq ft
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
E-books & audiobooksBorrow from home with your card
Research databasesOnline courses, journals, genealogy and more
Fiscal year 2024
A year at Houston Public Library
11K
visits
3.5 per resident
24K
loans, print + digital
7.6 per resident
155
programs & events
4,451 attended
794
library cards
25% 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
3.5 visits · typical 3.0
Higher than 58% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
6.7 print items · typical 3.8
Higher than 78% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
0.9 e-items · typical 1.0
A little below typical (47th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
3.9 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Higher than 85% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
1.4 attendees · typical 0.5
Higher than 89% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
25% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (22th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
24K loans last year
Books & media (adults)37%Kids’ books & media51%E-books, audio & streaming12%
Who the programs are for
155 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$28 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $88K.
Local 70%Gifts & other 30%
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.