Library · Seattle
Libraries in Seattle
Seattle Public Library serves Seattle’s 797,700 residents from 27 locations. Last year it logged 2,937,411 visits, about 3.7 for every resident, and lent 13M books, movies and e-books.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024Main library
Central Library
1000 4th Avenue, Seattle 98104
60 hrsopen a week
362,987sq ft
1.8Mbooks & 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 20 · Most-used libraries in WA →Among WA towns of 2,500+ people with a library of their own#5 · Most library borrowing →#9 · Best libraries for kids →
Fiscal year 2024
A year at the library
2.9M
visits
3.7 per resident
13M
loans, print + digital
16.1 per resident
4,805
programs & events
113K attended
401K
library cards
50% 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
3.7 visits · typical 2.1
Higher than 87% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
5.6 print items · typical 3.2
Higher than 75% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
10.5 e-items · typical 1.4
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
2.1 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Higher than 61% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.1 attendees · typical 0.2
A little below typical (25th percentile)
Cardholders
50% of residents
Higher than 69% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
13M loans last year
Books & media (adults)22%Kids’ books & media13%E-books, audio & streaming65%
Who the programs are for
4,805 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$126 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $1M.
Local 94%Federal 0%Gifts & other 6%
Locations
Other libraries in Seattle
And 14 more in Seattle.
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.