Library · Somerset
Barker Public Library
Somerset’s library is the Barker Public Library, a branch of Barker Public Library, open about 37 hours a week.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024School-district system. Somerset’s branch belongs to Barker Public Library, which serves 4,763 people. The yearly numbers below are for the whole system, not just this branch. A card works at every branch.
Your branch
Barker Public Library
8708 Main St., Barker 14012
37 hrsopen a week
2,186sq ft
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
E-books & audiobooksBorrow from home with your card
Research databasesOnline courses, journals, genealogy and more
Fiscal year 2024
A year at Barker Public Library
5,535
visits
1.2 per resident
11K
loans, print + digital
2.3 per resident
55
programs & events
942 attended
1,239
library cards
26% 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 (15th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
1.9 print items · typical 3.8
Lower than most similar-size libraries (22th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.4 e-items · typical 1.0
A little below typical (25th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
1.0 kids’ items · typical 1.6
A little below typical (33th percentile)
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.5
Lower than most similar-size libraries (22th percentile)
Cardholders
26% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (24th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
11K loans last year
Books & media (adults)39%Kids’ books & media43%E-books, audio & streaming18%
Who the programs are for
55 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$24 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $112K.
Local 94%State 1%Gifts & other 4%
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.