Lawrence Public Library, serving an area of 80,000 residents, has a collection of 240,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 9,600 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 42 employees, of whom 11 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library, plus one bookmobile. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $350,000. Patrons make 400,000 visits annually, and check out materials 780,000 times. Thirty-eight percent of all check-outs are children's materials.