Library · Plainfield
Plainfield Free Pub. Lib.
Plainfield Free Public Library serves Plainfield’s 54,586 residents. Last year it logged 122,266 visits, about 2.2 for every resident, and lent 42K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Plainfield Free Pub. Lib.
800 Park Avenue, Plainfield 07060
60 hrsopen a week
45,250sq ft
91Kbooks & 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
#172
#172 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
122K
visits
2.2 per resident
42K
loans, print + digital
0.8 per resident
676
programs & events
16K attended
6,630
library cards
12% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 25,000 to 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
2.2 visits · typical 2.6
A little below typical (42th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
0.5 print items · typical 3.7
Lower than most similar-size libraries (4th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.2 e-items · typical 1.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (11th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.3 kids’ items · typical 1.7
Lower than most similar-size libraries (7th percentile)
Program attendance
0.3 attendees · typical 0.3
A little below typical (44th percentile)
Cardholders
12% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (5th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
42K loans last year
Books & media (adults)34%Kids’ books & media34%E-books, audio & streaming31%
Who the programs are for
676 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$54 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $2.9M.
Local 60%State 1%Federal 27%Gifts & other 12%
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.