Library · Baytown
Sterling Municipal Library
Sterling Municipal Library serves Baytown’s 84,067 residents. Last year it logged 138,683 visits, about 1.6 for every resident, and lent 232K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Sterling Municipal Library
1 Wilbanks Ave, Baytown 77520
61 hrsopen a week
50,050sq ft
120Kbooks & media
Charges late finesLate fees on some overdue items
E-books & audiobooksBorrow from home with your card
Research databasesOnline courses, journals, genealogy and more
#127
#127 of 183 · Most-used libraries in TX →Among TX towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#121 · Most library borrowing →#140 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
139K
visits
1.6 per resident
232K
loans, print + digital
2.8 per resident
451
programs & events
18K attended
34K
library cards
41% 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
1.6 visits · typical 2.6
A little below typical (27th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
2.2 print items · typical 3.7
A little below typical (30th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.6 e-items · typical 1.2
A little below typical (28th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.9 kids’ items · typical 1.7
A little below typical (29th percentile)
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.3
A little below typical (31th percentile)
Cardholders
41% of residents
Higher than 53% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
232K loans last year
Books & media (adults)45%Kids’ books & media33%E-books, audio & streaming22%
Who the programs are for
451 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$31 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $2.6M.
Local 99%Federal 0%Gifts & other 1%
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.