Library · Manchester
Libraries in Manchester
Manchester City Library serves Manchester’s 116,161 residents from 2 locations. Last year it logged 148,269 visits, about 1.3 for every resident, and lent 299K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Manchester City Library
405 Pine Street, Manchester 03104
50 hrsopen a week
41,300sq ft
145Kbooks & 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
#101
#101 of 122 · Most-used libraries in NH →Among NH towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#109 · Most library borrowing →#98 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
148K
visits
1.3 per resident
299K
loans, print + digital
2.6 per resident
496
programs & events
12K attended
58K
library cards
50% 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
1.3 visits · typical 2.1
Lower than most similar-size libraries (18th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
1.9 print items · typical 3.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (24th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.7 e-items · typical 1.4
Lower than most similar-size libraries (24th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.7 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Lower than most similar-size libraries (17th percentile)
Program attendance
0.1 attendees · typical 0.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (12th percentile)
Cardholders
50% of residents
Higher than 68% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
299K loans last year
Books & media (adults)45%Kids’ books & media29%E-books, audio & streaming26%
Who the programs are for
496 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$30 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $3.5M.
Local 95%Gifts & other 5%
Locations
Other libraries in Manchester
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.