Library · Decatur
Decatur Public Library
Decatur Public Library serves Decatur’s 30,974 residents. Last year it logged 46,548 visits, about 1.5 for every resident, and lent 59K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Decatur Public Library
1700 S Fm 51, Decatur 76234
36 hrsopen a week
10,327sq ft
25Kbooks & 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
#325
#325 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
47K
visits
1.5 per resident
59K
loans, print + digital
1.9 per resident
133
programs & events
5,149 attended
19K
library cards
63% 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
1.5 visits · typical 2.6
Lower than most similar-size libraries (23th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
1.2 print items · typical 3.7
Lower than most similar-size libraries (14th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.7 e-items · typical 1.2
A little below typical (32th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.7 kids’ items · typical 1.7
Lower than most similar-size libraries (23th percentile)
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.3
Lower than most similar-size libraries (21th percentile)
Cardholders
63% of residents
Higher than 82% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
59K loans last year
Books & media (adults)24%Kids’ books & media37%E-books, audio & streaming39%
Who the programs are for
133 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$17 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $538K.
Local 100%
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.