Library · Salt Lake
Libraries in Salt Lake
Salt Lake City Public Library System serves Salt Lake’s 209,593 residents from 8 locations. Last year it logged 1,074,028 visits, about 5.1 for every resident, and lent 2.9M books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Salt Lake City Public Library Main Library
210 East 400 South, Salt Lake City 84111
60 hrsopen a week
240,000sq ft
482Kbooks & media
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
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
#12
#12 of 38 · Most-used libraries in UT →Among UT towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#12 · Most library borrowing →#7 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
1.1M
visits
5.1 per resident
2.9M
loans, print + digital
13.8 per resident
2,616
programs & events
76K attended
133K
library cards
63% 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
5.1 visits · typical 2.1
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
8.4 print items · typical 3.2
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
5.4 e-items · typical 1.4
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
3.7 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Higher than 84% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.4 attendees · typical 0.2
Higher than 79% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
63% of residents
Higher than 81% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
2.9M loans last year
Books & media (adults)34%Kids’ books & media27%E-books, audio & streaming39%
Who the programs are for
2,616 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$118 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $25M.
Local 100%State 0%
Locations
Other libraries in Salt Lake
2.7mi
Salt Lake City Public Library Corinne and Jack Sweet BranchSalt Lake City · 54 hrs a week
Directions →5.5mi
Salt Lake City Public Library Anderson-Foothill BranchSalt Lake City · 54 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.