Library · Princeton
Princeton Public Library
Princeton Public Library serves Princeton’s 30,681 residents. Last year it logged 688,713 visits, about 22.4 for every resident, and lent 589K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Princeton Public Library
65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton 08542
72 hrsopen a week
61,000sq ft
136Kbooks & 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
#1
#1 of 236 · Most-used libraries in NJ →Among NJ towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#4 · Most library borrowing →#4 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
689K
visits
22.4 per resident
589K
loans, print + digital
19.2 per resident
2,025
programs & events
116K attended
25K
library cards
83% 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
22.4 visits · typical 2.6
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
11.9 print items · typical 3.7
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
7.3 e-items · typical 1.2
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
6.7 kids’ items · typical 1.7
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
3.8 attendees · typical 0.3
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
83% of residents
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
589K loans last year
Books & media (adults)27%Kids’ books & media35%E-books, audio & streaming38%
Who the programs are for
2,025 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$204 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $6.3M.
Local 75%State 0%Gifts & other 24%
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.