Star Libraries
The 12th edition of the LJ Index of Public Library Service rates U.S. public libraries based on selected per capita output measures. The 2019 Index derives from data recently released by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for FY17. This year, 6,333 U.S. public libraries qualified to be rated in the Index. In this edition, there are 261 Star Libraries, each receiving three-Star, four-Star, or five-Star designations.
The 2019 Star libraries are scattered among 40 states across the country. Here are the states with the most and fewest 2019 Stars.
In FY16, the IMLS Index of Public Library Service PLS added a new data element for successful retrieval of electronic information, as distinct from circulation of ebooks. By next year, all states will have been collecting data on the measure for at least two years, so electronic information retrievals may become the seventh per-capita statistic in the LJ Index formula next year. This will be a useful measure of how people are using library resources and what kind of content they need or want.
2019 Star Library Index Scores by Spending Category.
Every public library is a star to the community it serves. LJ’s Star Library Ratings and the LJ Index of Public Library Service spotlight the best of the best across America. The 2019 edition is the 12th. This year, 6,333 U.S. public libraries are scored on the LJ Index, and there are 261 Star Libraries.
