Mcallen Memorial Library, serving an area of 168,000 residents, has a collection of 300,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 9,600 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 7,500 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.
Staffing consists of 66 employees, of whom 14 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 2 branch libraries. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $300,000. Patrons make 500,000 visits annually, and check out materials 580,000 times. Fifty-two percent of all check-outs are children's materials.