Library · Oberlin
Oberlin Public Library
Oberlin Public Library serves Oberlin’s 10,938 residents. Last year it logged 36,920 visits, about 3.4 for every resident, and lent 155K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Oberlin Public Library
65 S. Main St., Oberlin 44074
60 hrsopen a week
19,640sq ft
130Kbooks & 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
#133
#133 of 251 OH libraries for visits per residentAmong every public library system in Ohio that reported visits
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
37K
visits
3.4 per resident
155K
loans, print + digital
14.2 per resident
283
programs & events
4,660 attended
5,113
library cards
47% 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
3.4 visits · typical 3.1
Higher than 55% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
11.5 print items · typical 3.9
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
2.7 e-items · typical 1.1
Higher than 85% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
1.9 kids’ items · typical 1.8
Higher than 53% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.4 attendees · typical 0.4
A little below typical (49th percentile)
Cardholders
47% of residents
Higher than 62% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
155K loans last year
Books & media (adults)67%Kids’ books & media14%E-books, audio & streaming19%
Who the programs are for
283 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$126 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $1.4M.
Local 62%State 27%Gifts & other 11%
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.