Library · Scranton
Libraries in Scranton
Scranton Public Library serves Scranton’s 96,329 residents from 3 locations. Last year it logged 183,698 visits, about 1.9 for every resident, and lent 299K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Scranton Public Library
500 Vine Street, Scranton 18509
64 hrsopen a week
15,153sq ft
193Kbooks & 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
#249
#249 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
184K
visits
1.9 per resident
299K
loans, print + digital
3.1 per resident
818
programs & events
16K attended
35K
library cards
36% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 25,000 to 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
1.9 visits · typical 2.6
A little below typical (34th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
2.5 print items · typical 3.7
A little below typical (34th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.6 e-items · typical 1.2
A little below typical (27th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.8 kids’ items · typical 1.7
A little below typical (26th percentile)
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.3
Lower than most similar-size libraries (21th percentile)
Cardholders
36% of residents
A little below typical (42th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
299K loans last year
Books & media (adults)56%Kids’ books & media26%E-books, audio & streaming18%
Who the programs are for
818 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$49 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $4.7M.
Local 56%State 35%Gifts & other 9%
Locations
Other libraries in Scranton
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.