Paterson Free Public Library, serving an area of 147,000 residents, has a collection of 320,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 1,050 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 2,100 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 44 employees, of whom 5 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 3 branch libraries. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $230,000. Patrons make 84,000 visits annually, and check out materials 80,000 times. Forty-two percent of all check-outs are children's materials.
