Library · New Albany
Jennie Stephens Smith Library
New Albany’s library is the Jennie Stephens Smith Library, a branch of Union County Library System, open about 46 hours a week.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024County system. New Albany’s branch belongs to Union County Library System, which serves 28,284 people. The yearly numbers below are for the whole system, not just this branch. A card works at every branch.
Your branch
Jennie Stephens Smith Library
219 King Street, New Albany 38652
46 hrsopen a week
8,900sq 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 Union County Library System
79K
visits
2.8 per resident
90K
loans, print + digital
3.2 per resident
193
programs & events
10K attended
21K
library cards
75% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 25,000 to 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
2.8 visits · typical 2.6
Higher than 55% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
2.2 print items · typical 3.7
A little below typical (30th percentile)
Digital borrowing
1.0 e-items · typical 1.2
A little below typical (43th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
1.0 kids’ items · typical 1.7
A little below typical (32th percentile)
Program attendance
0.4 attendees · typical 0.3
Higher than 55% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
75% of residents
Higher than 88% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
90K loans last year
Books & media (adults)38%Kids’ books & media31%E-books, audio & streaming31%
Who the programs are for
193 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$11 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $314K.
Local 77%State 15%Federal 2%Gifts & other 6%
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.