East Central Regional Library, serving an area of 147,000 residents, has a collection of 198,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 7,500 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 11,500 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 30 employees, of whom 4 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 12 branch libraries, plus one bookmobile. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $310,000. Patrons make 310,000 visits annually, and check out materials 780,000 times. Thirty-seven percent of all check-outs are children's materials.