Library · Chester
Chester Library
Chester Library serves Chester’s 9,394 residents. Last year it logged 73,575 visits, about 7.8 for every resident, and lent 118K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Chester Library
250 West Main Street, Chester 07930
55 hrsopen a week
15,000sq ft
64Kbooks & 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
#41
#41 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
74K
visits
7.8 per resident
118K
loans, print + digital
12.6 per resident
509
programs & events
7,410 attended
7,699
library cards
82% 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
7.8 visits · typical 3.0
Higher than 89% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
10.2 print items · typical 3.8
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
2.4 e-items · typical 1.0
Higher than 83% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
6.0 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.8 attendees · typical 0.5
Higher than 69% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
82% of residents
Higher than 85% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
118K loans last year
Books & media (adults)33%Kids’ books & media47%E-books, audio & streaming19%
Who the programs are for
509 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$79 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $746K.
Local 95%State 1%Gifts & other 4%
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.