Library · Portland
Bell/Whittington Public Library
Bell/Whittington Public Library serves Portland’s 28,286 residents. Last year it logged 35,557 visits, about 1.3 for every resident, and lent 81K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Bell/Whittington Public Library
2400 Memorial Pkwy, Portland 78374
54 hrsopen a week
9,092sq ft
44Kbooks & media
Charges late finesLate fees on some overdue items
E-books & audiobooksBorrow from home with your card
Research databasesOnline courses, journals, genealogy and more
#367
#367 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
36K
visits
1.3 per resident
81K
loans, print + digital
2.9 per resident
307
programs & events
20K attended
29K
library cards
100% 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
1.4 print items · typical 3.7
Lower than most similar-size libraries (19th percentile)
Digital borrowing
1.5 e-items · typical 1.2
Higher than 58% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
0.8 kids’ items · typical 1.7
A little below typical (26th percentile)
Program attendance
0.7 attendees · typical 0.3
Higher than 87% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
100% of residents
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
81K loans last year
Books & media (adults)21%Kids’ books & media28%E-books, audio & streaming51%
Who the programs are for
307 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$26 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $725K.
Local 97%Federal 0%Gifts & other 3%
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.