Columbus Metropolitan Library, serving an area of 580,000 residents, has a collection of 2,500,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 260,000 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 176,000 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 580 employees, of whom 154 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 20 branch libraries, plus 2 bookmobiles. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $8,000,000. Patrons make 7,200,000 visits annually, and check out materials 15,400,000 times. Thirty-five percent of all check-outs are children's materials.
This facility houses administative offices. Branch libraries are listed below.