“Your Library is awesome to me because I can spend hours reading in peace and happiness,” writes Autumn Vandriel, a Colerain Township student, in a letter to the Library this past spring. The value of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is well-known to loyal fans and was confirmed this week by the library field’s leading professional publication, the Library Journal. The publication recognized the Library —for the fourth year in a row — by designating it as a Five-Star Library.
The Library Journal’s Index of Public Library Service is a national ranking system comparing U.S. public libraries on the quantities of services they deliver based on per capita statistics for library visits, circulation, program attendance, and public Internet use. The Library Journal gives an overall indication of how libraries stack up to their peers nationally.
The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is among the top five libraries in the country in the $30+ million expenditure category and is one of only five libraries nationwide in its category to receive a Five-Star Library rating. This year, Library Journal added circulation of eBooks, eAudiobooks, and downloadable audio and video to its scoring measure. The Library is second in the nation in this regard, with 2.23 e-circs per capita. This year’s ratings were based on 2014 data, which libraries reported to the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
“Our staff works hard to make this Library among the best in the nation,” said Kimber L. Fender, the Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director of the Library. “It is thanks to their dedication and talent that we can enjoy this prestigious recognition from the Library Journal. We also want to thank our enthusiastic and loyal cardholders who support us and make this one of the best places to work.”
