Library · Nelson
Nelson Public Library
Nelson Public Library serves Nelson’s 459 residents. Last year it logged 1,488 visits, about 3.2 for every resident, and lent 3,050 books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Nelson Public Library
73 East 4th St., Nelson 68961
17 hrsopen a week
2,400sq ft
9,503books & 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
#145
#145 of 226 NE libraries for visits per residentAmong every public library system in Nebraska that reported visits
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
1,488
visits
3.2 per resident
3,050
loans, print + digital
6.6 per resident
97
programs & events
677 attended
131
library cards
29% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving under 2,500 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
3.2 visits · typical 3.5
A little below typical (46th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
2.3 print items · typical 3.9
A little below typical (29th percentile)
Digital borrowing
4.4 e-items · typical 1.0
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
0.9 kids’ items · typical 1.4
A little below typical (38th percentile)
Program attendance
1.5 attendees · typical 0.7
Higher than 76% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
29% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (21th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
3,050 loans last year
Books & media (adults)20%Kids’ books & media14%E-books, audio & streaming66%
Who the programs are for
97 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$60 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $54. Operating budget $27K.
Local 98%State 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.