Library · St. Louis
Libraries in St. Louis
City of St. Louis Municipal Library District serves St. Louis’s 301,578 residents from 16 locations. Last year it logged 1,050,908 visits, about 3.5 for every resident, and lent 2.6M books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Central Library
1301 Olive Street, St. Louis 63103
64 hrsopen a week
190,870sq ft
2.4Mbooks & 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
#22
#22 of 50 · Most-used libraries in MO →Among MO towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#13 · Most library borrowing →#17 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
1.1M
visits
3.5 per resident
2.6M
loans, print + digital
8.6 per resident
9,167
programs & events
156K attended
195K
library cards
65% 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
3.5 visits · typical 2.1
Higher than 84% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
5.0 print items · typical 3.2
Higher than 70% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
3.6 e-items · typical 1.4
Higher than 87% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
2.1 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Higher than 60% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.5 attendees · typical 0.2
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
65% of residents
Higher than 82% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
2.6M loans last year
Books & media (adults)34%Kids’ books & media24%E-books, audio & streaming42%
Who the programs are for
9,167 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$105 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $32M.
Local 87%State 1%Gifts & other 12%
Locations
Other libraries in St. Louis
And 3 more in St. Louis.
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.