Port Arthur Public Library, serving an area of 58,000 residents, has a collection of 138,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 7,200 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 2,700 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.

Staffing consists of 19 employees, of whom 2 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and one branch library. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $110,000. Patrons make 115,000 visits annually, and check out materials 105,000 times. Twenty-three percent of all check-outs are children's materials.