Bismarck Veterans Public Library, serving an area of 56,000 residents, has a collection of 176,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 3,300 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 3,500 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 23 employees, of whom 5 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library, plus one bookmobile. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $189,000. Patrons make 300,000 visits annually, and check out materials 600,000 times. Twenty-six percent of all check-outs are children's materials.