Library · Mercedes
Dr Hector P Garcia Memorial Library
Dr Hector P Garcia Memorial Library serves Mercedes’s 25,013 residents. Last year it logged 31,355 visits, about 1.3 for every resident, and lent 18K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Dr Hector P Garcia Memorial Library
434 S Ohio St., Mercedes 78570
45 hrsopen a week
11,500sq ft
28Kbooks & 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
#369
#369 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
31K
visits
1.3 per resident
18K
loans, print + digital
0.7 per resident
215
programs & events
6,796 attended
9,499
library cards
38% 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
1.3 visits · typical 2.6
Lower than most similar-size libraries (17th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
0.3 print items · typical 3.7
Lower than most similar-size libraries (2th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.4 e-items · typical 1.2
Lower than most similar-size libraries (16th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.1 kids’ items · typical 1.7
Lower than most similar-size libraries (3th percentile)
Program attendance
0.3 attendees · typical 0.3
A little below typical (41th percentile)
Cardholders
38% of residents
A little below typical (48th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
18K loans last year
Books & media (adults)30%Kids’ books & media18%E-books, audio & streaming52%
Who the programs are for
215 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$23 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $571K.
Local 85%State 1%Federal 0%Gifts & other 14%
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.