Library · McAllen

Libraries in McAllen

Mcallen Public Library serves McAllen’s 219,148 residents from 3 locations. Last year it logged 472,067 visits, about 2.2 for every resident, and lent 450K books, movies and e-books.

IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024
Main library

Mcallen Public Library

4001 N 23rd St., Mcallen 78504
72 hrsopen a week
123,000sq ft
328Kbooks & 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
#213
#213 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

472K
visits
2.2 per resident
450K
loans, print + digital
2.1 per resident
1,161
programs & events
88K attended
135K
library cards
62% 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
2.2 visits · typical 2.1
Higher than 52% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
1.8 print items · typical 3.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (20th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.3 e-items · typical 1.4
Lower than most similar-size libraries (8th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
1.0 kids’ items · typical 1.6
A little below typical (28th percentile)
Program attendance
0.4 attendees · typical 0.2
Higher than 83% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
62% of residents
Higher than 80% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs

What people use it for

What people borrow

450K loans last year

Books & media (adults)37%Kids’ books & media50%E-books, audio & streaming13%

Who the programs are for

1,161 story times, classes, clubs and events

Ages 0–5
415
Ages 6–11
145
Teens
280
Adults
277
All ages
44
Money

Who pays for it

$24 per resident a year

Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $5.2M.

Local 100%
Locations

Other libraries in McAllen

2.6mi
Lark Branch LibraryMcallen · 65 hrs a week
Directions →
3mi
Palm View Branch LibraryMcallen · 65 hrs a week
Directions →
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.

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