Library · Wilmington
Main Library
Wilmington’s library is the Main Library, a branch of New Hanover County Public Library, open about 54 hours a week.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024County system. Wilmington’s branch belongs to New Hanover County Public Library, which serves 239,514 people. The yearly numbers below are for the whole system, not just this branch. A card works at every branch.
Your branch
Main Library
201 Chestnut St., Wilmington 28401
54 hrsopen a week
80,000sq ft
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
Fiscal year 2024
A year at New Hanover County Public Library
479K
visits
2.0 per resident
1.4M
loans, print + digital
5.8 per resident
1,790
programs & events
40K attended
114K
library cards
47% 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
2.0 visits · typical 2.1
A little below typical (47th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
4.0 print items · typical 3.2
Higher than 62% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
1.8 e-items · typical 1.4
Higher than 59% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
1.9 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Higher than 57% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.2
A little below typical (34th percentile)
Cardholders
47% of residents
Higher than 64% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
1.4M loans last year
Books & media (adults)37%Kids’ books & media32%E-books, audio & streaming31%
Who the programs are for
1,790 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$24 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $5.8M.
Local 95%State 4%Federal 0%Gifts & other 1%
Locations
Other New Hanover County Public Library branches in Wilmington
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.