Library · South Amboy
Dowdell Lib. of So. Amboy
Dowdell Library of South Amboy serves South Amboy’s 9,411 residents. Last year it logged 11,498 visits, about 1.2 for every resident, and lent 25K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Dowdell Lib. of So. Amboy
100 Harold G. Hoffman Plaza, South Amboy 08879
43 hrsopen a week
8,860sq ft
56Kbooks & 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
#208
#208 of 236 · Most-used libraries in NJ →Among NJ towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#177 · Most library borrowing →#180 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
11K
visits
1.2 per resident
25K
loans, print + digital
2.7 per resident
342
programs & events
4,694 attended
2,194
library cards
23% 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
1.2 visits · typical 3.0
Lower than most similar-size libraries (16th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
1.7 print items · typical 3.8
Lower than most similar-size libraries (20th percentile)
Digital borrowing
1.0 e-items · typical 1.0
Higher than 50% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
0.7 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Lower than most similar-size libraries (23th percentile)
Program attendance
0.5 attendees · typical 0.5
Higher than 50% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
23% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (19th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
25K loans last year
Books & media (adults)38%Kids’ books & media25%E-books, audio & streaming37%
Who the programs are for
342 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$44 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $418K.
Local 97%State 1%Gifts & other 2%
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.