Library · St. Paul
Libraries in St. Paul
Saint Paul Public Library serves St. Paul’s 310,997 residents from 12 locations. Last year it logged 1,271,015 visits, about 4.1 for every resident, and lent 2.9M books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
St. Paul Public Library - Central
90 West Fourth Street, Saint Paul 55102
41 hrsopen a week
90,353sq ft
593Kbooks & 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
#13
#13 of 18 · Most-used libraries in MN →Among MN towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#8 · Most library borrowing →#13 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
1.3M
visits
4.1 per resident
2.9M
loans, print + digital
9.2 per resident
3,367
programs & events
47K attended
367K
library cards
100% 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
4.1 visits · typical 2.1
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
5.9 print items · typical 3.2
Higher than 77% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
3.4 e-items · typical 1.4
Higher than 84% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
2.8 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Higher than 76% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.2
A little below typical (28th percentile)
Cardholders
100% of residents
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
2.9M loans last year
Books & media (adults)33%Kids’ books & media31%E-books, audio & streaming36%
Who the programs are for
3,367 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$72 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $23M.
Local 93%State 1%Federal 0%Gifts & other 5%
Locations
Other libraries in St. Paul
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.