Bridgeport Public Library, serving an area of 138,000 residents in
Fairfield County, has a collection of 440,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 8,800 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 16,800 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 72 employees, of whom 28 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 4 branch libraries. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $600,000. Patrons make 420,000 visits annually, and check out materials 500,000 times. Thirty percent of all check-outs are children's materials.
