Library · Whitefish
Whitefish Community Library
Whitefish Community Library serves Whitefish’s 7,751 residents. Last year it logged 62,739 visits, about 8.1 for every resident, and lent 85K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Whitefish Community Library
9 Spokane Avenue, Whitefish 59937
44 hrsopen a week
10,800sq ft
30Kbooks & media
Charges late finesLate fees on some overdue items
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
#7
#7 of 83 MT libraries for visits per residentAmong every public library system in Montana that reported visits
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
63K
visits
8.1 per resident
85K
loans, print + digital
10.9 per resident
193
programs & events
2,113 attended
6,459
library cards
83% 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
8.1 visits · typical 3.0
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
8.2 print items · typical 3.8
Higher than 85% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
2.7 e-items · typical 1.0
Higher than 87% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
4.2 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Higher than 87% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.3 attendees · typical 0.5
A little below typical (29th percentile)
Cardholders
83% of residents
Higher than 85% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
85K loans last year
Books & media (adults)37%Kids’ books & media38%E-books, audio & streaming25%
Who the programs are for
193 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$49 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $377K.
Local 86%State 2%Gifts & other 12%
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.