Library · Virginia Beach
Libraries in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach Public Library serves Virginia Beach’s 458,028 residents from 10 locations. Last year it logged 911,501 visits, about 2.0 for every resident, and lent 2.4M books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Central Library
4100 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach 23452
60 hrsopen a week
95,000sq ft
515Kbooks & media
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
E-books & audiobooksBorrow from home with your card
Research databasesOnline courses, journals, genealogy and more
#18
#18 of 24 · Most-used libraries in VA →Among VA towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#14 · Most library borrowing →#13 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
912K
visits
2.0 per resident
2.4M
loans, print + digital
5.2 per resident
5,988
programs & events
104K attended
80K
library cards
17% 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
2.0 visits · typical 2.1
A little below typical (46th percentile)
Borrowing per resident
3.2 print items · typical 3.2
Higher than 51% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
2.0 e-items · typical 1.4
Higher than 63% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
1.7 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Higher than 53% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.2 attendees · typical 0.2
Higher than 55% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
17% of residents
Lower than most similar-size libraries (10th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
2.4M loans last year
Books & media (adults)29%Kids’ books & media33%E-books, audio & streaming38%
Who the programs are for
5,988 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$46 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $21M.
Local 98%State 2%
Locations
Other libraries in Virginia Beach
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.