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Merced County Library

Merced County Library, serving an area of 220,000 residents, has a collection of 330,000 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 210 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 13,200 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 2 are fully accredited librarians, plus volunteers. The system comprises one central library and 15 branch libraries. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $147,000. Patrons make 350,000 visits annually, and check out materials 460,000 times. Thirty-five percent of all check-outs are children's materials.