The region embraces a population of roughly 10,000 people including loggers, farmers, merchants, workers in light industry, and the faculty and staff of a small state college. One-quarter of the children in the region are from families receiving food stamps. Under the leadership of head librarian Pat Hazelhurst , the Cobleigh Public Library, has become a vital community center for the region. As one observer noted, many libraries have a particular clientele. This library has really broadened its clientele, from babies to seniors.
Adults learning to read use the computer room.
Community groups of all kinds, from scouts and the Rotary Club, to the local child-care network, a homeschoolers group and the historical society use the library for their meetings. The library has also reached out to the smaller towns in its vicinity. For ten years Pat Hazelhurst has been involved in the effort to improve the level of literacy in the community. The library has made use of humanities council's reading programs for adults learning to read, child-care providers, teen parents and their children and other at risk groups. Programs help parents and child care providers draw children into reading.