Harrison County Library System, serving an area of 176,000 residents, has a collection of 270,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 7,800 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 7,800 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 72 employees, of whom 7 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 7 branch libraries. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $350,000. Patrons make 560,000 visits annually, and check out materials 840,000 times. Twenty-six percent of all check-outs are children's materials.