Raleigh County Public Library, serving an area of 78,000 residents, has a collection of 189,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 2,400 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 3,800 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 32 employees, of whom 2 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 3 branch libraries, plus 2 bookmobiles. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $176,000. Patrons make 220,000 visits annually, and check out materials 420,000 times. Thirty-two percent of all check-outs are children's materials.
