Jersey City Free Public Library, serving an area of 240,000 residents, has a collection of 340,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 2,300 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 8,400 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 88 employees, of whom 18 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 11 branch libraries, plus one bookmobile. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $840,000. Patrons make 300,000 visits annually, and check out materials 420,000 times. Fifty percent of all check-outs are children's materials.