Library · Alton
Gilman Library
Gilman Library serves Alton’s 6,014 residents. Last year it logged 13,936 visits, about 2.3 for every resident, and lent 27K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Gilman Library
100 Main Street, Alton 03809
21 hrsopen a week
6,996sq ft
24Kbooks & 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
#81
#81 of 122 · Most-used libraries in NH →Among NH towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#87 · Most library borrowing →#89 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
14K
visits
2.3 per resident
27K
loans, print + digital
4.5 per resident
110
programs & events
1,531 attended
4,581
library cards
76% 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
2.3 visits · typical 3.0
A little below typical (39th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
2.8 print items · typical 3.8
A little below typical (35th percentile)
Digital borrowing
1.7 e-items · typical 1.0
Higher than 71% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
0.8 kids’ items · typical 1.6
A little below typical (26th percentile)
Program attendance
0.3 attendees · typical 0.5
A little below typical (28th percentile)
Cardholders
76% of residents
Higher than 82% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
27K loans last year
Books & media (adults)45%Kids’ books & media17%E-books, audio & streaming38%
Who the programs are for
110 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$36 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $215K.
Local 83%Gifts & other 17%
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.