Toledo-Lucas County Public Library earns national honor

Nov. 16, 2009: The Toledo-Lucas County Public Library (TLCPL) has been named a Star Library by the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service, a national rating of public libraries.

The LJ Index offers an overall indication of how a library’s performance stacks up to peer libraries and provides guidance on how all public libraries can better assess and improve what they provide to their users.

TLCPL ranked sixth in the nation in its category, earning four stars out of five for libraries with $30 million budgets and above. Libraries were judged on circulation, patron visits, program attendance, and Internet/computer usage.

“We are extremely proud of this honor,” said TLCPL Director Clyde Scoles. “This meaningful rating sheds light on our diverse library collection and indicates how valuable we are to our community in offering free programming, public Internet computers, and an ever-popular circulation of materials for our patrons.”

Media attention in recent months has focused on the key role libraries are playing during the current economic crisis. America’s Star Libraries identifies 258 libraries nationwide that are delivering exceptional service.

Overall, the LJ Index scores not just the Star Libraries but 7,268 public libraries with total expenditures of $10,000 or more that serve populations of at least 1,000 according to four per capita output measures that indicate public service—circulation, visits, program attendance, and public Internet use. The top libraries in each category, organized by ranges of operating expenditures, are assigned five, four, or three Michelin guide-like stars.

For more on how the stars realigned, what makes star libraries tick, and how public libraries across the United States are using the LJ Index to improve their services, access full coverage of the new round of America’s Star Libraries and the entire LJ Index at:  www.LibraryJournal.com/ljindex2009x and in the November 15 issue of LJ.

About Library Journal
In its 133rd year of publication, Library Journal is the oldest publication covering the library field, read by over 100,000 library directors, administrators, and staff. LJ is published by Reed Business Information (www.reedbusiness.com/us)