Hickory County Library, serving an area of 8,800 residents, has a collection of 21,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 580 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 800 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 3 employees, including one fully accredited librarian, plus volunteers. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $27,000. Patrons make 22,000 visits annually, and check out materials 54,000 times. Thirteen percent of all check-outs are children's materials.