Metropolitan Library System, serving an area of 660,000 residents, has a collection of 880,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 38,000 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 34,000 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 260 employees, of whom 58 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 19 branch libraries. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $2,600,000. Patrons make 2,500,000 visits annually, and check out materials 4,800,000 times. Thirty-six percent of all check-outs are children's materials.