Fenton’s library runs 485 programs per 1,000 residents, against a typical 60 for libraries its size
Fenton Public Library serves Fenton’s 561 residents. Last year it lent 3,163 print books and media and logged 5,229 visits.
The short version on Fenton’s library
Eight times the programs of a typical library its size
Fenton Public Library ran 272 programs last year, about 5 a week. That’s 485 per 1,000 residents, against a typical 60. People show up: 3,561 attended. Kids & programs ↓
A small-town library
Fenton Public Library serves 561 residents with about one full-time staff. It’s compared only with libraries serving under 2,500 people, because per-person numbers always look big in a small town. A year at the library ↓
Open only about 22 hours a week
Fenton Public Library keeps short hours: about 22 a week, averaged over the year, so check its schedule before you go. The building ↓
People come to Fenton Public Library a lot
Fenton Public Library logs 9.3 visits per resident, against a typical 3.5 for libraries serving under 2,500 people, more than 88% of similar-size libraries. Borrowing is above typical too, at 5.6 print items per resident. How it compares ↓
Programs lean toward adults
79% of the 272 programs last year were for adults: classes, talks, clubs and events. 47 were for children. Kids & programs ↓
This summary is written from the numbers on this page. Numbers are the library’s own report to the Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024; in a town this small, one busy program or a few avid readers move the per-resident numbers.
What’s behind Fenton’s civic life grade
Fenton isn’t graded on civic life: TownRatings grades towns of 1,000 residents or more.
Civic life counts registered nonprofits, library visits and online volunteering groups, so it can miss civic life that runs through congregations, mutual aid or neighbors looking out for each other.
Library visits: IMLS Public Libraries Survey, FY2024. Nonprofits: IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File, October 2026. Volunteering: Social Capital Atlas (Opportunity Insights), from data by Meta Platforms, Inc.; Chetty et al., Nature 2022. How TownRatings grades civic life →
272 programs a year
Story times, clubs, classes and events, by who they’re for.
Programs last year by age group
story times and programs a week for ages 0–5, on average.
Ahead of most similar-size libraries on 6 of 7 measures
Per resident, against libraries serving under 2,500 people across the U.S.
Fenton Public Library serves 561 people, so it’s measured against U.S. libraries serving under 2,500.
Every hour the doors are open, about 3 items go out
Fiscal year 2024. The library’s own count.
Books and media off the shelf
3,163 print loans last year. The library didn’t report its e-book and e-audiobook loans.
Each of the 12K books and other items on the shelves went out about 0.3 time last year, on average.
Find it
Fenton Public Library, 605 Maple St., Fenton.
Hours are the survey’s yearly average. Check the library’s own site for today’s hours.
For every $1 it spends, the library lends about $2.20 worth
Set what you’d borrow in a month. It starts at what the average Fenton cardholder borrows.
Typical for a library this size: $54. Operating budget $41K.
Last year the library lent and hosted about $91K worth of books, e-books, programs and Wi-Fi on a $41K budget.
Fine-free. No late fees on books returned late.
Retail prices are typical, rounded down: a new book $17, a kids’ book $12, an e-book or e-audiobook $15, a movie rental $4, a class or program $10, a computer or Wi-Fi session $3. The average cardholder’s month = the library’s yearly loans, attendance and Wi-Fi sessions ÷ its 367 cardholders ÷ 12.
What this data can and can’t tell you
From the Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024.
- Digital loans not reported. The library didn’t report e-book loans, so borrowing here is print only.
Hours are the survey’s yearly average; libraries are compared with others serving about as many people. How TownRatings uses library figures →
Questions about the library and civic life in Fenton
Does Fenton have a public library?
Yes. Fenton Public Library, 605 Maple St., serves Fenton’s 561 residents (the survey’s count) and is open about 22 hours a week, averaged over the year.
Is Fenton Public Library fine-free?
Yes, no late fees (the library’s 2024 survey report).
How busy is Fenton’s library?
It logged 9.3 visits and lent 5.6 print items per resident in 2024, against a typical 3.5 visits for libraries serving under 2,500 people.
What is Fenton’s civic life grade?
Fenton isn’t graded on civic life: TownRatings grades towns of 1,000 residents or more. How it works.
Book talk
Reading, story times and the library in Fenton.
Libraries: Institute of Museum and Library Services, Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024. Each library reports its own numbers. Distances are straight-line from the town center. “What your card is worth” uses typical retail prices and is an estimate, not an official figure.