Somerville Public Library, serving an area of 78,000 residents, has a collection of 160,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 7,800 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 5,200 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 39 employees, of whom 19 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 2 branch libraries, plus one bookmobile. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $250,000. Patrons make 290,000 visits annually, and check out materials 440,000 times. Twenty-nine percent of all check-outs are children's materials.
