Library · Metuchen
Metuchen Public Library
Metuchen Public Library serves Metuchen’s 15,049 residents. Last year it logged 83,217 visits, about 5.5 for every resident, and lent 134K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Metuchen Public Library
480 Middlesex Avenue, Metuchen 08840
61 hrsopen a week
13,740sq ft
66Kbooks & media
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
#61
#61 of 236 · Most-used libraries in NJ →Among NJ towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#59 · Most library borrowing →#86 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
83K
visits
5.5 per resident
134K
loans, print + digital
8.9 per resident
1,095
programs & events
13K attended
5,411
library cards
36% 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
5.5 visits · typical 3.1
Higher than 82% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
7.0 print items · typical 3.9
Higher than 79% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
1.8 e-items · typical 1.1
Higher than 70% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
3.6 kids’ items · typical 1.8
Higher than 81% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.9 attendees · typical 0.4
Higher than 82% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
36% of residents
A little below typical (42th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
134K loans last year
Books & media (adults)39%Kids’ books & media41%E-books, audio & streaming21%
Who the programs are for
1,095 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$66 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $997K.
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.