Library · Las Cruces
Libraries in Las Cruces
Thomas Branigan Memorial Library serves Las Cruces’s 111,385 residents from 3 locations. Last year it logged 276,780 visits, about 2.5 for every resident, and lent 432K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Thomas Branigan Memorial Library
200 E Picacho Avenue, Las Cruces 88001
60 hrsopen a week
44,500sq ft
127Kbooks & media
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
E-books & audiobooksBorrow from home with your card
Research databasesOnline courses, journals, genealogy and more
#22
#22 of 36 · Most-used libraries in NM →Among NM towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#17 · Most library borrowing →#19 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
277K
visits
2.5 per resident
432K
loans, print + digital
3.9 per resident
1,469
programs & events
23K attended
50K
library cards
45% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 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
2.5 visits · typical 2.1
Higher than 63% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
3.0 print items · typical 3.2
A little below typical (45th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.9 e-items · typical 1.4
A little below typical (36th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.9 kids’ items · typical 1.6
A little below typical (25th percentile)
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.2
A little below typical (48th percentile)
Cardholders
45% of residents
Higher than 58% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
432K loans last year
Books & media (adults)52%Kids’ books & media24%E-books, audio & streaming24%
Who the programs are for
1,469 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$26 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $2.9M.
Local 80%State 8%Gifts & other 11%
Locations
Other libraries in Las Cruces
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.