Library · Sour Lake
Alma M Carpenter Public Library
Alma M Carpenter Public Library serves Sour Lake’s 3,475 residents. Last year it logged 7,630 visits, about 2.2 for every resident, and lent 3,941 books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Your library
Alma M Carpenter Public Library
300 S Ann St., Sour Lake 77659
42 hrsopen a week
4,050sq ft
15Kbooks & media
Charges late finesLate fees on some overdue items
#210
#210 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
7,630
visits
2.2 per resident
3,941
loans, print + digital
1.1 per resident
37
programs & events
473 attended
917
library cards
26% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 2,500 to 10,000 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 3.0
A little below typical (37th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
1.1 print items · typical 3.8
Lower than most similar-size libraries (12th percentile)
Digital borrowing
0.0 e-items · typical 1.0
Lower than most similar-size libraries (0th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.8 kids’ items · typical 1.6
A little below typical (28th percentile)
Program attendance
0.1 attendees · typical 0.5
Lower than most similar-size libraries (15th percentile)
Cardholders
26% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (24th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
3,941 loans last year
Books & media (adults)28%Kids’ books & media72%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
37 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$22 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $43. Operating budget $76K.
Local 96%Gifts & other 4%
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.