Library · West Warwick
West Warwick Public Library
West Warwick Public Library serves West Warwick’s 31,012 residents. Last year it logged 71,540 visits, about 2.3 for every resident, and lent 115K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
West Warwick Public Library
1043 Main Street, West Warwick 02893
52 hrsopen a week
30,000sq ft
66Kbooks & 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
#20
#20 of 30 · Most-used libraries in RI →Among RI towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#26 · Most library borrowing →#26 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
72K
visits
2.3 per resident
115K
loans, print + digital
3.7 per resident
742
programs & events
12K attended
7,274
library cards
23% 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
2.3 visits · typical 2.6
A little below typical (43th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
3.0 print items · typical 3.7
A little below typical (40th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.7 e-items · typical 1.2
A little below typical (33th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.9 kids’ items · typical 1.7
A little below typical (30th percentile)
Program attendance
0.4 attendees · typical 0.3
Higher than 58% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
23% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (19th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
115K loans last year
Books & media (adults)55%Kids’ books & media25%E-books, audio & streaming20%
Who the programs are for
742 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$38 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $1.2M.
Local 74%State 17%Federal 3%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.