Newark Public Library, serving an area of 270,000 residents, has a collection of 1,540,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 11,500 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 13,800 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 160 employees, of whom 56 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 10 branch libraries. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $960,000. Patrons make 840,000 visits annually, and check out materials 720,000 times. Twenty-two percent of all check-outs are children's materials.
