The number of books in a small library can vary significantly depending on the context, but generally small libraries typically serve a population of less than 25,000 people. According to data, small public libraries in the US, which have a service area population below 25,000, circulate a median number of about 28,907 materials annually, and small libraries with populations between 10,000 and 25,000 may have around that many books to serve their patrons. School libraries with small student populations may have approximately 500 to a few thousand books. For personal or private libraries, there is no strict requirement, but popular opinions suggest that having 500 to 1,000 books can feel like a small library, while collections with fewer than 500 books still may be considered a minimal library depending on curation and context. In summary:
- Small public libraries usually serve communities with fewer than 25,000 people and may have several thousands to tens of thousands of books.
- Small school libraries may have around 500 to 2,000 books depending on their size.
- Private or personal libraries called "small libraries" typically range from a few hundred to around 1,000 books.
Thus, a "small library" could reasonably be considered to contain anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand books depending on its type and purpose.
