Charleston County operates the largest system of the three counties, while Dorchester has the smallest system in terms of access points. Berkeley and Dorchester counties' libraries are approximately the same size in terms of circulation. In 1999, more than 2.5 million volumes were circulated among library patrons, for an average of 4.99 per capita in the three-county region. Individually, Charleston County had the highest circulation per capita at 6.27, followed by Dorchester at 4.13 and Berkeley at 2.67. Although circulation has increased during the past four years, the average for the three- county region is far below the national average of 6.5.
Library usage is an indicator of a community's interest in reading and learning.
Access to facilities is a critical link to increasing the public's awareness and usage of library facilities. The continued development and use of the Internet will play a key role in the public libraries development of services over the next few years. Providing access to the Internet through its physical facilities and being able to access information through the libraries' own web sites are expected to impact total circulation and its viability as a reliable indicator of reading capacity in the community. Total circulation numbers per capita are based on the population of the county. Total circulation per capita for Charleston County includes circulation or usage by people other than residents, causing the circulation per capita to appear higher than actual usage by residents alone.