The Library System is pleased to announce that they have been awarded a Five Star Status by Library Journal. Each year the professional publication looks at national statistics from Annual Reports submitted by each state and then selects distinguished libraries and Library Systems. The Library System is the only system in Pennsylvania that received the 2017 award. Only one library, Corry Public Library in Erie County received a Five-Star rating. Three other public libraries in PA received Three-Star ratings: Baden Memorial Library (Beaver County); Chester County Library (Chester County); and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
The LJ Index compares U.S. public libraries with their spending peers based on per capita measures of service output. The 2017 Index derives from data recently released by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for FY15.
Member libraries in Lancaster County collectively reported outstanding statistics of 16.8 visits per capita and program attendance of 15.5 people per capita during 2015.
This year marks the tenth edition of the Star Library Ratings and the LJ Index of Public Library Service. LJ Index compares U.S. public libraries with their spending peers based on per capita measures of service output. This year, 7,409 U.S. public libraries qualified to be rated in the Index. In this edition, there are 259 Star Libraries, each receiving Three-Star, Four-Star, or Five-Star designations.
About the Library System of Lancaster County
The Library System of Lancaster County is a federated system with 14 member libraries, three branches and a bookmobile, which serves 519,462 residents. Established in April 1987 as a 501c(3) non-profit organization, the Library System provides well-coordinated countywide services and cooperative programs to assist member libraries in meeting the diverse needs of its community residents. The mission of the Library System of Lancaster County is to bring together all 14 member public libraries to plan and create a cost-effective network of technology, facilities and resources to meet the informational, educational and recreational needs of all residents of Lancaster County. The Library System ensures that a network of support services is provided to all public libraries in the county.
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