Library · Arlington
Sam T. Wilson Public Library
Sam T. Wilson Public Library serves Arlington’s 15,305 residents. Last year it logged 22,422 visits, about 1.5 for every resident, and lent 66K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Sam T. Wilson Public Library
11968 Walker, Arlington 38002
37 hrsopen a week
3,185sq ft
20Kbooks & 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
#13
#13 of 19 · Most-used libraries in TN →Among TN towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#13 · Most library borrowing →#9 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
22K
visits
1.5 per resident
66K
loans, print + digital
4.3 per resident
441
programs & events
7,064 attended
3,614
library cards
24% 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
1.5 visits · typical 3.1
Lower than most similar-size libraries (21th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
2.9 print items · typical 3.9
A little below typical (36th percentile)
Digital borrowing
1.5 e-items · typical 1.1
Higher than 62% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
2.2 kids’ items · typical 1.8
Higher than 59% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.5 attendees · typical 0.4
Higher than 53% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
24% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (20th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
66K loans last year
Books & media (adults)15%Kids’ books & media51%E-books, audio & streaming34%
Who the programs are for
441 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$14 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $212K.
Local 97%Gifts & other 3%
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.