Library · Paterson
Libraries in Paterson
Paterson Free Public Library serves Paterson’s 159,732 residents from 3 locations. Last year it logged 111,498 visits, about 0.7 for every resident, and lent 49K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Paterson Free Public Library
250 Broadway, Paterson 07501
60 hrsopen a week
33,000sq ft
152Kbooks & 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
#226
#226 of 236 · Most-used libraries in NJ →Among NJ towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#231 · Most library borrowing →#208 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
111K
visits
0.7 per resident
49K
loans, print + digital
0.3 per resident
1,201
programs & events
24K attended
13K
library cards
8% 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
0.7 visits · typical 2.1
Lower than most similar-size libraries (5th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
0.2 print items · typical 3.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (1th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.1 e-items · typical 1.4
Lower than most similar-size libraries (1th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.1 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Lower than most similar-size libraries (2th percentile)
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.2
A little below typical (28th percentile)
Cardholders
8% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (3th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
49K loans last year
Books & media (adults)41%Kids’ books & media33%E-books, audio & streaming26%
Who the programs are for
1,201 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$27 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $4.3M.
Local 98%State 2%Gifts & other 0%
Locations
Other libraries in Paterson
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.