Monterey Public Library, serving an area of 30,000 residents, has a collection of 110,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 4,400 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 2,300 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 36 employees, of whom 11 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library, plus one bookmobile. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $220,000. Patrons make 330,000 visits annually, and check out materials 440,000 times. Forty percent of all check-outs are children's materials.