Hartford Public Library, serving an area of 120,000 residents, has a collection of 420,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 22,000 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 21,000 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 120 employees, of whom 30 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 9 branch libraries, plus one bookmobile. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $560,000. Patrons make 580,000 visits annually, and check out materials 880,000 times. Thirty-four percent of all check-outs are children's materials.
