Library · Waterloo
Waterloo Library and Historical Society
Waterloo Library and Historical Society serves Waterloo’s 4,810 residents. Last year it logged 41,249 visits, about 8.6 for every resident, and lent 21K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Waterloo Library and Historical Society
31 East Williams Street, Waterloo 13165
41 hrsopen a week
4,790sq ft
20Kbooks & 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
#18
#18 of 241 · Most-used libraries in NY →Among NY towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#156 · Most library borrowing →#163 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
41K
visits
8.6 per resident
21K
loans, print + digital
4.4 per resident
312
programs & events
7,002 attended
2,282
library cards
47% 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
8.6 visits · typical 3.0
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
3.7 print items · typical 3.8
A little below typical (48th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.7 e-items · typical 1.0
A little below typical (40th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
1.1 kids’ items · typical 1.6
A little below typical (35th percentile)
Program attendance
1.5 attendees · typical 0.5
Higher than 89% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
47% of residents
Higher than 58% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
21K loans last year
Books & media (adults)58%Kids’ books & media25%E-books, audio & streaming17%
Who the programs are for
312 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$67 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $324K.
Local 55%State 5%Gifts & other 40%
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.