Library · Chester
Chester Public Library
Chester Public Library serves Chester’s 12,646 residents. Last year it logged 27,614 visits, about 2.2 for every resident, and lent 60K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Chester Public Library
1784 Kings Highway, Chester 10918
54 hrsopen a week
6,000sq ft
52Kbooks & media
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
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
#176
#176 of 241 · Most-used libraries in NY →Among NY towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#150 · Most library borrowing →#159 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
28K
visits
2.2 per resident
60K
loans, print + digital
4.7 per resident
225
programs & events
2,440 attended
3,892
library cards
31% 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
2.2 visits · typical 3.1
A little below typical (34th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
3.7 print items · typical 3.9
A little below typical (46th percentile)
Digital borrowing
1.0 e-items · typical 1.1
A little below typical (48th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
1.6 kids’ items · typical 1.8
A little below typical (46th percentile)
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.4
Lower than most similar-size libraries (19th percentile)
Cardholders
31% of residents
A little below typical (33th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
60K loans last year
Books & media (adults)44%Kids’ books & media34%E-books, audio & streaming22%
Who the programs are for
225 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$53 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $675K.
Local 95%State 2%Gifts & other 3%
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.