Library · Jersey
Libraries in Jersey
Jersey City Free Public Library serves Jersey’s 292,449 residents from 10 locations. Last year it logged 563,142 visits, about 1.9 for every resident, and lent 550K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Jersey City Public Library
472 Jersey Avenue, Jersey City 07302
60 hrsopen a week
87,118sq ft
423Kbooks & media
Charges late finesLate fees on some overdue items
E-books & audiobooksBorrow from home with your card
Research databasesOnline courses, journals, genealogy and more
#168
#168 of 236 · Most-used libraries in NJ →Among NJ towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#199 · Most library borrowing →#168 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
563K
visits
1.9 per resident
550K
loans, print + digital
1.9 per resident
2,737
programs & events
34K attended
171K
library cards
58% 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
1.9 visits · typical 2.1
A little below typical (43th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
1.3 print items · typical 3.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (12th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.6 e-items · typical 1.4
Lower than most similar-size libraries (21th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.9 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Lower than most similar-size libraries (23th percentile)
Program attendance
0.1 attendees · typical 0.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (16th percentile)
Cardholders
58% of residents
Higher than 76% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
550K loans last year
Books & media (adults)20%Kids’ books & media47%E-books, audio & streaming32%
Who the programs are for
2,737 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$53 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $16M.
Local 96%State 1%Federal 1%Gifts & other 2%
Locations
Other libraries in Jersey
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.