New York Public Library, serving an area of 3,300,000 residents, has a collection of 18,900,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 1,600,000 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 210,000 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 2,800 employees, of whom 750 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 85 branch libraries. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $34,000,000. Patrons make 14,700,000 visits annually, and check out materials 23,000,000 times. Twenty-six percent of all check-outs are children's materials.