Tulare County Free Library, serving an area of 290,000 residents, has a collection of 1,320,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 3,600 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 3,000 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 42 employees, of whom 6 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 15 branch libraries, plus 2 bookmobiles. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $290,000. Patrons make 500,000 visits annually, and check out materials 660,000 times. Thirty-three percent of all check-outs are children's materials.
