Portland Public Library, serving an area of 63,000 residents, has a collection of 310,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 15,400 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 6,900 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 50 employees, of whom 13 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 5 branch libraries. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $540,000. Patrons make 500,000 visits annually, and check out materials 800,000 times. Thirty percent of all check-outs are children's materials.