Library · Roanoke
Libraries in Roanoke
Roanoke City Public Library serves Roanoke’s 99,883 residents from 8 locations. Last year it logged 435,399 visits, about 4.4 for every resident, and lent 253K books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Roanoke City Public Library
706 S. Jefferson Street, Roanoke 24016
52 hrsopen a week
59,400sq ft
210Kbooks & 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
#8
#8 of 24 · Most-used libraries in VA →Among VA towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#21 · Most library borrowing →#18 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
435K
visits
4.4 per resident
253K
loans, print + digital
2.5 per resident
6,123
programs & events
75K attended
14K
library cards
14% 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
4.4 visits · typical 2.6
Higher than 80% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
2.5 print items · typical 3.7
A little below typical (34th percentile)
Kids’ borrowing
0.9 kids’ items · typical 1.7
A little below typical (28th percentile)
Program attendance
0.7 attendees · typical 0.3
Higher than 88% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
14% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (6th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
253K loans last year
Books & media (adults)65%Kids’ books & media35%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
6,123 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$57 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $5.7M.
Local 93%State 4%Gifts & other 2%
Locations
Other libraries in Roanoke
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.