Traverse Area District Library, serving an area of 88,000 residents, has a collection of 132,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 92,000 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 7,500 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 8 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 2 branch libraries. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $320,000. Patrons make 250,000 visits annually, and check out materials 690,000 times. Thirty-four percent of all check-outs are children's materials.