Library · Belleville
Belleville Free Public Library
Belleville Public Library serves Belleville’s 38,222 residents. Last year it logged 21,220 visits, about 0.6 for every resident, and lent 33K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Belleville Free Public Library
221 Washington Avenue, Belleville 07109
52 hrsopen a week
8,000sq ft
23Kbooks & 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
#231
#231 of 236 · Most-used libraries in NJ →Among NJ towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#220 · Most library borrowing →#193 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
21K
visits
0.6 per resident
33K
loans, print + digital
0.9 per resident
753
programs & events
6,733 attended
6,260
library cards
16% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 25,000 to 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
0.6 visits · typical 2.6
Lower than most similar-size libraries (3th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
0.7 print items · typical 3.7
Lower than most similar-size libraries (7th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.1 e-items · typical 1.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (6th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.4 kids’ items · typical 1.7
Lower than most similar-size libraries (12th percentile)
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.3
Lower than most similar-size libraries (24th percentile)
Cardholders
16% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (9th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
33K loans last year
Books & media (adults)36%Kids’ books & media47%E-books, audio & streaming17%
Who the programs are for
753 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$29 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $1.1M.
Local 96%State 1%Gifts & other 3%
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.