Library · Westerly
Westerly Public Library
Westerly Public Library serves Westerly’s 23,359 residents. Last year it logged 227,178 visits, about 9.7 for every resident, and lent 240K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Westerly Public Library
44 Broad Street, Westerly 02891
57 hrsopen a week
50,000sq ft
95Kbooks & 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
#1
#1 of 30 · Most-used libraries in RI →Among RI towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#7 · Most library borrowing →#6 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
227K
visits
9.7 per resident
240K
loans, print + digital
10.3 per resident
1,197
programs & events
36K attended
15K
library cards
64% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 10,000 to 25,000 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
9.7 visits · typical 3.1
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
7.2 print items · typical 3.9
Higher than 80% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
3.1 e-items · typical 1.1
Higher than 88% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
3.0 kids’ items · typical 1.8
Higher than 73% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
1.6 attendees · typical 0.4
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
64% of residents
Higher than 83% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
240K loans last year
Books & media (adults)41%Kids’ books & media30%E-books, audio & streaming30%
Who the programs are for
1,197 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$116 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $2.7M.
Local 17%State 14%Federal 1%Gifts & other 67%
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.