Haywood County Public Library, serving an area of 54,000 residents, has a collection of 140,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 10,000 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 23 employees, of whom 5 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 $260,000. Patrons make 138,000 visits annually, and check out materials 540,000 times. Twenty percent of all check-outs are children's materials.
