Library · Columbus
Columbus Public Library
Columbus Public Library serves Columbus’s 24,464 residents. Last year it logged 192,592 visits, about 7.9 for every resident, and lent 162K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Columbus Public Library
2500 14th Street, Suite 2, Columbus 68601
64 hrsopen a week
42,000sq ft
54Kbooks & media
Charges late finesLate fees on some overdue items
E-books & audiobooksBorrow from home with your card
Research databasesOnline courses, journals, genealogy and more
#6
#6 of 41 · Most-used libraries in NE →Among NE towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#30 · Most library borrowing →#29 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
193K
visits
7.9 per resident
162K
loans, print + digital
6.6 per resident
319
programs & events
6,110 attended
17K
library cards
71% 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
7.9 visits · typical 3.1
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
4.4 print items · typical 3.9
Higher than 56% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
2.2 e-items · typical 1.1
Higher than 79% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
2.5 kids’ items · typical 1.8
Higher than 65% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.4
A little below typical (27th percentile)
Cardholders
71% of residents
Higher than 87% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
162K loans last year
Books & media (adults)29%Kids’ books & media37%E-books, audio & streaming33%
Who the programs are for
319 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$61 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $1.5M.
Local 96%State 0%Gifts & other 4%
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.