Library · Bernards
Bernards Towhship Library
Bernards Township Library serves Bernards’s 27,830 residents. Last year it logged 147,684 visits, about 5.3 for every resident, and lent 352K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Bernards Towhship Library
32 South Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge 07920
54 hrsopen a week
25,000sq ft
121Kbooks & 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
#63
#63 of 236 · Most-used libraries in NJ →Among NJ towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#21 · Most library borrowing →#23 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
148K
visits
5.3 per resident
352K
loans, print + digital
12.6 per resident
1,016
programs & events
31K attended
12K
library cards
45% 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
5.3 visits · typical 2.6
Higher than 89% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
9.3 print items · typical 3.7
Higher than 88% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
3.4 e-items · typical 1.2
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
5.2 kids’ items · typical 1.7
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
1.1 attendees · typical 0.3
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
45% of residents
Higher than 60% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
352K loans last year
Books & media (adults)32%Kids’ books & media41%E-books, audio & streaming27%
Who the programs are for
1,016 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$94 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $2.6M.
Local 99%State 1%Gifts & other 1%
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.