America's Star Libraries: Spotlight onthe 9 Top-Rated Libraries
LJ Index of Public Library Service 2009, Round 2: Spotlight on Nine Star Libraries - America's Star Libraries - top-rated libraries - best libraries
Beth Dempsey -- Library Journal, 11/15/2009
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| The Star Libraries |
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| Editorial: The New Star Libraries |
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Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OH ($30,000,000+, 5 stars)
This library measures itself against six community priorities, which Director Sari Feldman feels enables the library to build sustained and positive effectiveness in the community. In 2007, it took on the area’s unemployment rate with its priority to “put Cuyahoga County back to work,” hiring a full-time Microsoft trainer to strengthen job skills among residents. 
That year, the priority to reconnect its citizenry with reading translated into—among other things—an extraordinary release party in the Hogwarts-decorated administration building for the final Harry Potter book. Over 500 people, nearly 30 percent of the 800 customers with holds, showed up to claim their book and waited no longer than 20 minutes.
Evansville-Vanderburgh Public Library, IN
($10,000,000-$29,999,999, 5 stars)
The LJ Index’s first round gave this library three stars, and its focus on continuous improvement garnered a five in this round. “We realize that excellent service pretty much begins and ends with staff, so all of us work on going ‘from good to great’ with one another and our community,” says Director Marcia Au. In 2007, the library started analyzing its operations. That self-examination has led the library to hone its programming and services to those delivering the greatest bang. To prepare for the impact of upcoming tax legislation, Au says, “We will be engaging our community in more serious conversations about funding and how best to meet their needs. Libraries may be transformative institutions in communities, but now more than ever we need to transform ourselves.”
Ela Area Public Library, Lake Zurich, IL
($5,000,000-$9,999,999, four stars)
“We watch trends worldwide and within our own community,” says Director Mary Beth Campe, to serve up an ever-evolving mix of entertainment and information in an environment that caters to both social and individual pursuits. “We embrace [change].” In 2007, EAPL saw the launch of new lending items, including Playaways (a self-contained audiobook), magazines, “most wanted” DVDs, and video games. The library also hosted the first of its now annual “One Book One Reading Community” projects with Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City. The library's 160 copies circulated more than 800 times, and patrons attended programs—including one with the author—in record numbers.
St. Helena Public Library, CA ($1,000,000-$4,999,999, four stars)
Serving a town of only 6000, this checks in as the sixth smallest library in California but consistently ranks among the state's highest in circulation and visits per capita. Director Jennifer Baker says it's a source of pride for staff, patrons, and the entire town, driving a commitment to trying new services. In 2007, that meant adding weekly adult programs. “We partnered with the local community college, representatives from a local Native American tribe, and our town's historical society to do a presentation on a [nearby]archaeological dig,” says Baker. When nearly 80 people showed up, the library knew it had a winner. Now, it's doing a minimum of ten adult programs each month that, Baker says, “everyone in town is talking about.”
Thomas B. Norton Public Library, Gulf Shores, AL
($400,000-$999,999, four stars)
Recovering from multiple hurricanes has led to a building boom that's attracted new residents to this coastal community. The library has responded with a rich selection of programming and a friendly presence. In 2007, it helped the community celebrate the city's 50th birthday, drawing new visitors to its wealth of events. With staff dressed in 1950s-style clothing, the library ran era-appropriate films and participated in events outside the library. “Any time you or your staff can get involved and be seen outside the confines of the everyday business of the library you are making a lasting impact in the community,” says Director Wendy Congiardo.
Norfolk Library, CT
($200,000-$399,999, five stars)
A thoughtful 2007 update to this library's interior re-ignited the community's library love. “The library's historic great hall area was gently redesigned to create cozy reading alcoves in the stacks,” says Codirector Robin Yuran. “The changes were a physical reflection of our welcoming spirit, which continues to be a hallmark of our codirectorship; the renovation upped the comfort level.” Beyond easy chairs and fireplaces, the library embraces the community with open arms, right down to welcoming patrons' dogs. “We keep biscuits in the office,” says Yuran, “and that's where the dogs head first.”
Parker Public Library, AZ ($100,000-$199,999, five stars)
In 2007, this library launched a variety of “visual and attitude” upgrades, says then-director Jana White. New exterior paint took the library from white to a variety of warm Southwestern colors, which helped with marketing and visibility. Inside, the library debuted themed rooms: a Teen Paradise, Kid's Book Jungle, Reading Retreat, and Lifelong Learning Center. Additional public computers and a self-checkout system were added. How to sustain positive momentum on a tight budget? According to White, get out of the library and into the community. Fairs, football games, any community event is an opportunity.
Atkinson Public Library, NE ($50,000-$99,999, five stars)
The library kept its five stars from the first round of the LJ Index despite budget cuts that dropped the library into a new category. Director Judy Hagan attributes this to community pride in a facility that makes smart use of community service workers and volunteers to keep costs down for timely programming. In 2007, the library took advantage of the interest in Lewis and Clark to host a huge program on the pair, including their trek through Nebraska. The library also launched computer classes for area seniors, which generated new visits and visitors to the library, as these seniors continued to use the library to check email.
Nora E. Larabee Memorial Library, Stafford, KS ($10,000-$49,999, five stars)
A historic place, this library could have been content with architecture tours, but its staff of one—librarian and director Dixie Osborn, at the helm for more than 35 years—serves up a remarkable spectrum of programming to this town of 1300. In 2007, despite a consistently declining budget, the library attracted new users when Osborn forged an agreement to pioneer reliable wireless online access for the community—then mostly dial-up. “The oil company allows the Internet service provider the use of [its] tower free on the condition that the library receives free Internet access,” says Osborn.
