Library · El Paso
Libraries in El Paso
El Paso Public Library serves El Paso’s 678,958 residents from 15 locations. Last year it logged 711,679 visits, about 1.0 for every resident, and lent 1.4M books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
El Paso Public Library
501 N Oregon St., El Paso 79901
52 hrsopen a week
101,000sq ft
825Kbooks & 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
#162
#162 of 183 · Most-used libraries in TX →Among TX towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#145 · Most library borrowing →#143 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
712K
visits
1.0 per resident
1.4M
loans, print + digital
2.0 per resident
5,929
programs & events
93K attended
206K
library cards
30% 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
1.0 visits · typical 2.1
Lower than most similar-size libraries (10th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
1.5 print items · typical 3.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (15th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.5 e-items · typical 1.4
Lower than most similar-size libraries (17th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.8 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Lower than most similar-size libraries (19th percentile)
Program attendance
0.1 attendees · typical 0.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (23th percentile)
Cardholders
30% of residents
A little below typical (28th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
1.4M loans last year
Books & media (adults)37%Kids’ books & media38%E-books, audio & streaming25%
Who the programs are for
5,929 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 $11M.
Local 97%State 0%Federal 0%Gifts & other 3%
Locations
Other libraries in El Paso
And 2 more in El Paso.
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.