Jackson/Hinds Library System, serving an area of 250,000 residents, has a collection of 520,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 13,200 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 25,000 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 126 employees, of whom 12 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 14 branch libraries. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $440,000. Patrons make 560,000 visits annually, and check out materials 630,000 times. Thirty-five percent of all check-outs are children's materials.
