Library · Foster
Libraries in Foster
Libraries of Foster serves Foster’s 4,469 residents from 2 locations. Last year it logged 7,235 visits, about 1.6 for every resident, and lent 20K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Foster Public Library
184 Howard Hill Road, Foster 02825
39 hrsopen a week
2,145sq ft
34Kbooks & 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
#26
#26 of 30 · Most-used libraries in RI →Among RI towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#24 · Most library borrowing →#23 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
7,235
visits
1.6 per resident
20K
loans, print + digital
4.5 per resident
189
programs & events
1,700 attended
1,012
library cards
23% 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
1.6 visits · typical 3.0
A little below typical (25th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
3.0 print items · typical 3.8
A little below typical (39th percentile)
Digital borrowing
1.5 e-items · typical 1.0
Higher than 65% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
1.3 kids’ items · typical 1.6
A little below typical (41th percentile)
Program attendance
0.4 attendees · typical 0.5
A little below typical (40th percentile)
Cardholders
23% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (18th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
20K loans last year
Books & media (adults)39%Kids’ books & media28%E-books, audio & streaming33%
Who the programs are for
189 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$52 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $233K.
Local 77%State 18%Federal 1%Gifts & other 4%
Locations
Other libraries in Foster
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.