Catawba County Library, serving an area of 105,000 residents, has a collection of 176,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 4,200 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 8,800 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 34 employees, of whom 4 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 5 branch libraries. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $400,000. Patrons make 330,000 visits annually, and check out materials 600,000 times. Twenty-eight percent of all check-outs are children's materials.