Allentown Public Library, serving an area of 120,000 residents, has a collection of 220,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 6,300 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 4,000 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 36 employees, of whom 13 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and one branch library. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $250,000. Patrons make 600,000 visits annually, and check out materials 1,100,000 times. Thirteen percent of all check-outs are children's materials.