Library · Spearfish
Grace Balloch Memorial Library
Grace Balloch Memorial Library serves Spearfish’s 20,785 residents. Last year it logged 61,167 visits, about 2.9 for every resident, and lent 178K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Grace Balloch Memorial Library
625 North Fifth Street, Spearfish 57783
57 hrsopen a week
12,200sq ft
69Kbooks & 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
#62
#62 of 105 SD libraries for visits per residentAmong every public library system in South Dakota that reported visits
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
61K
visits
2.9 per resident
178K
loans, print + digital
8.5 per resident
210
programs & events
5,760 attended
7,199
library cards
35% 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
2.9 visits · typical 3.1
A little below typical (48th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
6.1 print items · typical 3.9
Higher than 71% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
2.5 e-items · typical 1.1
Higher than 83% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
2.7 kids’ items · typical 1.8
Higher than 70% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.3 attendees · typical 0.4
A little below typical (31th percentile)
Cardholders
35% of residents
A little below typical (40th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
178K loans last year
Books & media (adults)39%Kids’ books & media32%E-books, audio & streaming29%
Who the programs are for
210 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$30 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $633K.
Local 92%Gifts & other 8%
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.