Library · Chatham
Chatham Joint Free Public Library
Chathams Joint Free Public Library serves Chatham’s 20,195 residents. Last year it logged 213,540 visits, about 10.6 for every resident, and lent 390K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Chatham Joint Free Public Library
214 Main Street, Chatham 07928
59 hrsopen a week
35,396sq ft
136Kbooks & 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
#20
#20 of 264 NJ libraries for visits per residentAmong every public library system in New Jersey that reported visits
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
214K
visits
10.6 per resident
390K
loans, print + digital
19.3 per resident
1,152
programs & events
38K attended
20K
library cards
97% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 10,000 to 25,000 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
10.6 visits · typical 3.1
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
16.6 print items · typical 3.9
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
2.7 e-items · typical 1.1
Higher than 85% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
0.0 kids’ items · typical 1.8
Lower than most similar-size libraries (1th percentile)
Program attendance
1.9 attendees · typical 0.4
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
97% of residents
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
390K loans last year
Books & media (adults)86%Kids’ books & media0%E-books, audio & streaming14%
Who the programs are for
1,152 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$120 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $2.4M.
Local 95%State 0%Federal 3%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.