Humboldt County Library, serving an area of 126,000 residents, has a collection of 280,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 4,600 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 5,600 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 29 employees, of whom 10 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 10 branch libraries, plus one bookmobile. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $132,000. Patrons make 440,000 visits annually, and check out materials 630,000 times. Twenty-seven percent of all check-outs are children's materials.