Horry County Memorial Library, serving an area of 198,000 residents, has a collection of 260,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 14,000 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 6,900 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 42 employees, of whom 9 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 8 branch libraries, plus one bookmobile. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $440,000. Patrons make 460,000 visits annually, and check out materials 660,000 times. Twenty-six percent of all check-outs are children's materials.