Des Plaines Public Library, serving an area of 58,000 residents, has a collection of 198,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 16,800 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 10,500 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 63 employees, of whom 17 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library, plus one bookmobile. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $660,000. Patrons make 330,000 visits annually, and check out materials 750,000 times. Thirty-seven percent of all check-outs are children's materials.
