Hempstead Public Library, serving an area of 56,000 residents, has a collection of 210,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 8,800 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 9,200 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 25 employees, of whom 10 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $250,000. Patrons make 400,000 visits annually, and check out materials 132,000 times. Thirty-six percent of all check-outs are children's materials.