Library · Sudden Valley
South Whatcom Library
Sudden Valley’s library is the South Whatcom Library, a branch of Whatcom County Library System, open about 41 hours a week.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024County system. Sudden Valley’s branch belongs to Whatcom County Library System, which serves 140,730 people. The yearly numbers below are for the whole system, not just this branch. A card works at every branch.
Your branch
South Whatcom Library
10 Barn View Ct., Bellingham 98229
41 hrsopen a week
2,743sq ft
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
Fiscal year 2024
A year at Whatcom County Library System
552K
visits
3.9 per resident
2M
loans, print + digital
14.2 per resident
2,221
programs & events
52K attended
62K
library cards
44% 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
3.9 visits · typical 2.1
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
10.6 print items · typical 3.2
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Digital borrowing
3.6 e-items · typical 1.4
Higher than 87% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
4.9 kids’ items · typical 1.6
Top 10% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.4 attendees · typical 0.2
Higher than 80% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
44% of residents
Higher than 56% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
2M loans last year
Books & media (adults)40%Kids’ books & media35%E-books, audio & streaming25%
Who the programs are for
2,221 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$77 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $36. Operating budget $11M.
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.