Lakewood Public Library Receives '5 Star' Rating

Library Journal has awarded a 5 Star Rating. This places Lakewood among the best public libraries in the nation.

More than 7,500 libraries were rated by the LJ Index, but only 262 received star ratings. Lakewood earned its accolades in the $1 million to $5 million expenditure category. Overall, Northeast Ohio Libraries did very well, but Lakewood Public Library leads the pack.

While other libraries across the nation reduce hours, shutter branches and lower ambitions, the Lakewood Public Library has held strong and continues to move forward.  

According to Library Journal, “If you need more evidence that public libraries are delivering despite economic hard times, consider this: our analysis also revealed that, for example, the two most long-established per capita measures—circulation and visits—rose dramatically compared with prerecession years. Considering the anecdotal evidence of branch closures and reduced hours and staffing, such statistical evidence of rising demand for public libraries is all the more impressive.”

The LJ Index of Public Library Service 2011, created by Keith Curry Lance and Ray Lyons and sponsored by Baker & Taylor’s Bibliostat, is based on 2009 data released by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in July 2011.

The top libraries in each group get five, four, or three stars. All rated libraries, stars or not can use their scores to learn from their peers, inform their stakeholders of achievements and service opportunities, and improve library awareness and funding.

For more information about the library visit its website. 

Ben Burdick contributed to this blog post.