Public Library Of Des Moines, serving an area of 210,000 residents, has a collection of 440,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 33,000 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 15,400 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 84 employees, of whom 32 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 5 branch libraries, plus one bookmobile. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $720,000. Patrons make 960,000 visits annually, and check out materials 1,980,000 times. Twenty-two percent of all check-outs are children's materials.
