Wichita Public Library, serving an area of 340,000 residents, has a collection of 960,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 42,000 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 17,600 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 115 employees, of whom 23 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 11 branch libraries. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $920,000. Patrons make 460,000 visits annually, and check out materials 2,100,000 times. Thirty-five percent of all check-outs are children's materials.
