Library · Allentown
Allentown Public Library
Allentown’s library is the Allentown Public Library, a branch of Allentown Public Library, open about 61 hours a week.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024School-district system. Allentown’s branch belongs to Allentown Public Library, which serves 139,466 people. The yearly numbers below are for the whole system, not just this branch. A card works at every branch.
Your branch
Allentown Public Library
1210 Hamilton St., Allentown 18102
61 hrsopen a week
59,000sq ft
Charges late finesLate fees on some overdue items
E-books & audiobooksBorrow from home with your card
Research databasesOnline courses, journals, genealogy and more
Fiscal year 2024
A year at Allentown Public Library
162K
visits
1.2 per resident
205K
loans, print + digital
1.5 per resident
607
programs & events
12K attended
51K
library cards
37% 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
1.2 visits · typical 2.1
Lower than most similar-size libraries (14th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
1.2 print items · typical 3.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (10th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.3 e-items · typical 1.4
Lower than most similar-size libraries (9th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.4 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Lower than most similar-size libraries (8th percentile)
Program attendance
0.1 attendees · typical 0.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (9th percentile)
Cardholders
37% of residents
A little below typical (41th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
205K loans last year
Books & media (adults)51%Kids’ books & media28%E-books, audio & streaming21%
Who the programs are for
607 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$21 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $3M.
Local 64%State 30%Gifts & other 6%
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.