Better Than Hennen

For the latest data, see America's Star Libraries 2009, Round Two

That's why LJ launched the new Index of Public Library Service (see “America's Star Libraries,” p. 26–33, in this issue). It is based on the only kind of performance that matters: what you deliver to your users.

To determine just that, the LJ Index looks at four reliable statistics that libraries provide to their states and that are further compiled by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). They answer the “What have you done for me lately?” question by using per capita figures. How many times a year did the average person take out a book, audiobook, DVD, or other item from the library? How many times did they come to the library? Attend a program? Use a public access computer? The top libraries in each category—grouped by operating expenditures—get five-, four-, and three-star ratings.

No rating system is perfect. But we have confidence in the LJ Index creators, Keith Lance and Ray Lyons, who not only developed it but have laid out a plan for its future improvement and use going forward. Lance is well known in the library field, having contributed hugely to the improvement of statistics reporting, as well as being the progenitor of a cottage industry of school library impact studies on student achievement. For years Lance directed the Library Research Service at the Colorado State Library, and he is a founding member of the Steering Committee of the Federal-State Cooperative System for Public Library Data that makes the IMLS data collection possible. Lyons, who recently completed his MLIS, is a consultant and statistical programmer in Cleveland with a master's degree in public administration specializing in quantitative methods.

What can we learn from the new LJ Index by looking at the libraries that excelled? In almost every group of starred libraries, there are one, two, or more from Ohio. Not surprising, since Ohio is the only state (outside Hawaii, which has an unusual statewide system) with dedicated statewide funding for public libraries. That translates into more and better books, DVDs, audiobooks, CDs, and other materials for residents, more computers, more public programs, and more hours open to increase those numbers that contribute to outstanding public library service.

We've also begun to ask librarians at the “Star Libraries” to tell us their stories (see “Models You Can Use”)—why they stand out in one or more areas of public service. It's more obvious if your funding is relatively secure, as in Ohio, or if you're from a rich community, or if you're the only game in town or for miles around. But the library's customer service mentality is also critical. One library (Pelican Rapids, MN) is a tech center for the community. Another (Sarah Hull Hallock Free Lib., Milton, NY) is the community hub, despite a larger library only four miles away. A third small public library (Lewiston, ME) has no limit on checkouts, no access fee for visitors, and an honor system for time limits on computers.

That's the kind of anecdotal and qualitative evidence needed to enrich and strengthen the LJ Index. Obviously, you can quibble with any rating system—and we expect to hear from you about how to improve ours in the online version, which lists not only the “Star Libraries” but all 7,115 libraries included. As Lance and Lyons stress, however, the LJ Index is only “part of a picture of overall library performance...one among several sources,” including local data, focus groups, user outcome surveys, and more. In these tough economic times, we hope that you'll be able to use the per capita stats here to show your public and funders how much they get for their money—or how far you still must go to deliver better service to everyone in your community.