Library · Plains
Plains Township Branch Library
Osterhout Free Library serves 120,502 people in and around Plains. Last year it logged 72,133 visits, about 0.6 for every resident, and lent 125K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Plains Township Branch Library
126 North Main Street, Plains 18705
20 hrsopen a week
513sq ft
196Kbooks & media
Charges late finesLate fees on some overdue items
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
#420
#420 of 440 PA libraries for visits per residentAmong every public library system in Pennsylvania that reported visits
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
72K
visits
0.6 per resident
125K
loans, print + digital
1.0 per resident
801
programs & events
10K attended
45K
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
0.6 visits · typical 2.1
Lower than most similar-size libraries (4th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
0.8 print items · typical 3.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (6th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.2 e-items · typical 1.4
Lower than most similar-size libraries (5th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.3 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Lower than most similar-size libraries (5th 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 (43th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
125K loans last year
Books & media (adults)55%Kids’ books & media26%E-books, audio & streaming19%
Who the programs are for
801 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 $2.6M.
Local 14%State 37%Gifts & other 50%
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.