Library · Schenectady
Central Library
Schenectady’s library is the Central Library, a branch of Schenectady County Public Library, open about 60 hours a week.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024County system. Schenectady’s branch belongs to Schenectady County Public Library, which serves 158,061 people. The yearly numbers below are for the whole system, not just this branch. A card works at every branch.
Your branch
Central Library
99 Clinton Street, Schenectady 12305
60 hrsopen a week
61,700sq ft
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
Fiscal year 2024
A year at Schenectady County Public Library
405K
visits
2.6 per resident
714K
loans, print + digital
4.5 per resident
1,774
programs & events
24K attended
66K
library cards
41% 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
2.6 visits · typical 2.1
Higher than 65% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
3.3 print items · typical 3.2
Higher than 52% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
1.2 e-items · typical 1.4
A little below typical (46th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
1.3 kids’ items · typical 1.6
A little below typical (38th percentile)
Program attendance
0.1 attendees · typical 0.2
A little below typical (27th percentile)
Cardholders
41% of residents
Higher than 50% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
714K loans last year
Books & media (adults)44%Kids’ books & media28%E-books, audio & streaming27%
Who the programs are for
1,774 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$46 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $7.3M.
Local 96%State 1%Gifts & other 3%
Locations
Other Schenectady County Public Library branches in Schenectady
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.