The New Stars Are Out! 7,268 Public Libraries Rated by New LJ Index
More public libraries rated in this new round of LJ Index; 258 America's Star Libraries named
-- Library Journal, 11/16/2009
Library Journal's national rating of public libraries, the LJ Index of Public Library Service 2009, Round 2, rates 7,268 public libraries and identifies 258 "stars."
Created by Keith Curry Lance and Ray Lyons, this round of the LJ Index is based on 2007 data from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). All included libraries, stars or not, can use their scores to learn from their peers, expand service to their communities, and improve library awareness and funding. Two-time star libraries share insights into how they are putting the LJ Index to work for their libraries and reflect on what other local measures matter in their self-evaluation. And, in a series of spotlights, nine new star libraries discuss strategies that may have helped them make the leap.
The first round, based on 2006 data, was published on February 15, 2009. Thanks to a dramatic improvement in data timeliness by IMLS, this second round is possible less than a year later.
