Library · West Plains
West Plains Public Library
West Plains Public Library serves West Plains’s 12,184 residents. Last year it logged 111,363 visits, about 9.1 for every resident, and lent 107K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
West Plains Public Library
750 W Broadway St., West Plains 65775
49 hrsopen a week
23,500sq ft
60Kbooks & 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
#5
#5 of 50 · Most-used libraries in MO →Among MO towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#12 · Most library borrowing →#9 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
111K
visits
9.1 per resident
107K
loans, print + digital
8.8 per resident
156
programs & events
4,406 attended
5,180
library cards
43% 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
9.1 visits · typical 3.1
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
8.6 print items · typical 3.9
Higher than 86% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
0.2 e-items · typical 1.1
Lower than most similar-size libraries (11th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
3.9 kids’ items · typical 1.8
Higher than 82% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.4 attendees · typical 0.4
A little below typical (42th percentile)
Cardholders
43% of residents
Higher than 55% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
107K loans last year
Books & media (adults)53%Kids’ books & media44%E-books, audio & streaming3%
Who the programs are for
156 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$42 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $515K.
Local 87%State 3%Federal 8%Gifts & other 2%
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.