Library · Raritan
Raritan Public Library
Raritan Public Library serves Raritan’s 7,835 residents. Last year it logged 15,486 visits, about 2.0 for every resident, and lent 21K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Raritan Public Library
54 E. Somerset Street, Raritan 08869
57 hrsopen a week
6,556sq ft
18Kbooks & 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
#167
#167 of 236 · Most-used libraries in NJ →Among NJ towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#178 · Most library borrowing →#121 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
15K
visits
2.0 per resident
21K
loans, print + digital
2.7 per resident
725
programs & events
5,613 attended
1,445
library cards
18% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 2,500 to 10,000 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
2.0 visits · typical 3.0
A little below typical (32th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
2.3 print items · typical 3.8
A little below typical (28th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.4 e-items · typical 1.0
Lower than most similar-size libraries (24th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
1.3 kids’ items · typical 1.6
A little below typical (42th percentile)
Program attendance
0.7 attendees · typical 0.5
Higher than 64% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
18% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (12th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
21K loans last year
Books & media (adults)37%Kids’ books & media49%E-books, audio & streaming15%
Who the programs are for
725 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$73 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $571K.
Local 99%State 1%Gifts & other 0%
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.