Paola Free Library, serving an area of 5,000 residents, has a collection of 37,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 920 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 750 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 4 employees, including one fully accredited librarian, plus volunteers. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $28,000. Patrons make 29,000 visits annually, and check out materials 63,000 times. Thirty-two percent of all check-outs are children's materials.