The Library Of Hattiesburg, Petal & Forrest C, serving an area of 75,000 residents, has a collection of 138,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 3,400 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 7,800 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 36 employees, of whom 6 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and one branch library. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $220,000. Patrons make 310,000 visits annually, and check out materials 400,000 times. Twenty-one percent of all check-outs are children's materials.
