Library · Brownsville
Libraries in Brownsville
Brownsville Public Library serves Brownsville’s 259,714 residents from 2 locations. Last year it logged 599,312 visits, about 2.3 for every resident, and lent 346K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Brownsville Public Library
2600 Central Blvd, Brownsville 78520
65 hrsopen a week
46,365sq ft
259Kbooks & 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
#198
#198 of 516 TX libraries for visits per residentAmong every public library system in Texas that reported visits
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
599K
visits
2.3 per resident
346K
loans, print + digital
1.3 per resident
516
programs & events
34K attended
102K
library cards
39% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 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
2.3 visits · typical 2.1
Higher than 57% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
0.6 print items · typical 3.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (4th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.7 e-items · typical 1.4
A little below typical (25th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.2 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Lower than most similar-size libraries (4th percentile)
Program attendance
0.1 attendees · typical 0.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (21th percentile)
Cardholders
39% of residents
A little below typical (47th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
346K loans last year
Books & media (adults)30%Kids’ books & media17%E-books, audio & streaming53%
Who the programs are for
516 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$16 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $4.1M.
Local 99%Federal 0%Gifts & other 1%
Locations
Other libraries in Brownsville
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.