Reading Public Library, serving an area of 80,000 residents, has a collection of 260,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 8,400 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 7,500 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 36 employees, of whom 9 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 3 branch libraries, plus one bookmobile. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $520,000. Patrons make 400,000 visits annually, and check out materials 480,000 times. Thirty-three percent of all check-outs are children's materials.
