Mercedes Memorial Library, serving an area of 22,000 residents, has a collection of 32,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 2,100 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 1,980 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 5 employees, including one fully accredited librarian, plus volunteers. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $8,800. Patrons make 9,600 visits annually, and check out materials 15,400 times. Thirty-seven percent of all check-outs are children's materials.