Zapata County Public Library, serving an area of 12,000 residents, has a collection of 25,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 560 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 1,610 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 6 employees, including one fully accredited librarian, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and one branch library. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $14,700. Patrons make 9,200 visits annually, and check out materials 34,000 times. Twenty-seven percent of all check-outs are children's materials.