Library · Balch Springs
Balch Springs Library - Learning Center
Balch Springs Library - Learning Center serves Balch Springs’s 26,711 residents. Last year it logged 45,396 visits, about 1.7 for every resident, and lent 44K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Balch Springs Library - Learning Center
12450 Elam Rd, Balch Springs 75180
46 hrsopen a week
12,500sq ft
17Kbooks & 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
#123
#123 of 183 · Most-used libraries in TX →Among TX towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#156 · Most library borrowing →#144 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
45K
visits
1.7 per resident
44K
loans, print + digital
1.7 per resident
392
programs & events
4,628 attended
5,768
library cards
22% 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
1.7 visits · typical 2.6
A little below typical (28th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
1.6 print items · typical 3.7
Lower than most similar-size libraries (22th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.0 e-items · typical 1.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (2th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.9 kids’ items · typical 1.7
A little below typical (30th percentile)
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.3
Lower than most similar-size libraries (23th percentile)
Cardholders
22% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (16th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
44K loans last year
Books & media (adults)41%Kids’ books & media57%E-books, audio & streaming3%
Who the programs are for
392 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$23 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $604K.
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.