Library · South Plainfield
So. Plainfield Free Pub. Lib.
South Plainfield Free Public Library serves South Plainfield’s 24,338 residents. Last year it logged 55,000 visits, about 2.3 for every resident, and lent 137K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
So. Plainfield Free Pub. Lib.
2484 Plainfield Avenue, So. Plainfield 07080
55 hrsopen a week
12,600sq ft
73Kbooks & 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
#149
#149 of 236 · Most-used libraries in NJ →Among NJ towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#111 · Most library borrowing →#68 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
55K
visits
2.3 per resident
137K
loans, print + digital
5.6 per resident
857
programs & events
37K attended
5,728
library cards
24% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 10,000 to 25,000 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
2.3 visits · typical 3.1
A little below typical (35th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
4.8 print items · typical 3.9
Higher than 60% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
0.9 e-items · typical 1.1
A little below typical (41th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
3.1 kids’ items · typical 1.8
Higher than 74% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
1.5 attendees · typical 0.4
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
24% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (19th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
137K loans last year
Books & media (adults)30%Kids’ books & media55%E-books, audio & streaming15%
Who the programs are for
857 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$63 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $1.5M.
Local 98%State 1%Gifts & other 1%
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.