Bell County Public Library System, serving an area of 30,000 residents, has a collection of 80,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 690 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 1,680 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 10 employees, including one fully accredited librarian, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and one branch library, plus one bookmobile. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $33,000. Patrons make 78,000 visits annually, and check out materials 88,000 times. Twenty-three percent of all check-outs are children's materials.
