Cuyahoga County Public Library tops list of America’s best libraries

[Kolesar]

Cuyahoga County Public Library tops list of America’s best libraries
Parma, OH – November 9, 2012 – For the fourth consecutive year (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012), Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL) has been named one of America’s Star Libraries, earning a five-star rating in Library Journal’s 2012 Index of Public Library Service (LJ Index). Library Journal is the oldest and most respected publication covering the field of library service, with more than 100,000 readers.

The 2012 LJ Index rated 7,570 American public libraries using 2010 data provided by the Institute for Museum and Library Services. Rating scores are based on four per capita output measures: circulation, visits, program attendance and public computer use. In its budget category, CCPL received the publication’s highest overall score (1,654) and lead the nation in three of the LJ Index’s four per capita measures: circulation, visits and program attendance. CCPL ranked sixth in the nation in per capita public computer use in its category.

The 2012 edition of the LJ Index marks the third consecutive year CCPL has achieved the nation’s highest score among libraries in its budget category. Notably, CCPL’s per capita circulation of 35.9 items was significantly higher than other library systems in its category.

“It’s extremely gratifying to have received Library Journal’s five-star rating for the fourth consecutive year,” said CCPL Executive Director Sari Feldman. “In many ways it’s an affirmation of the work of our Board of Trustees, staff, Foundation and Friends of the Library groups to ensure Cuyahoga County residents have access to world class library service. I think these ratings clearly demonstrate the continued relevance of public libraries and the tremendous support we receive from our customers.”

For more information about the LJ Index, visit www.libraryjournal.com.

About Cuyahoga County Public Library

Cuyahoga County Public Library ranks as one of the nation’s very best public library systems and has the highest per capita circulation. The Library’s mission is to be at the center of community life by providing an environment where reading, lifelong learning and civic engagement thrive. For further information, visit www.cuyahogalibrary.org.

http://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/StdBackPage.aspx?id=37924

and...Ohio libraries are well represented on the list of "five star libraries":

LJ Index 2012: All the Stars, All Five Editions

See below for a table of all star libraries across all five editions of the LJ Index of Public Library Service, as well as highlights from the “5 Star, 5 Editions” group representing a variety of expenditure ­categories following the table.

http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2012/11/managing-libraries/lj-index/class-of-2012/lj-index-2012-all-the-stars-all-five-editions/

[liberal N proud]

1. It is a fabulous place for research

And the staff is well prepared to assist. I have used the library to research ANSI and ISO standards all of which are available for purchase from the organization or you can go to a library as well equipped as the Cuyahoga Library and review it without the cost.

Libraries are taxes well spent!

[Kolesar]

3. Is there a special terminal to read the ANSI and ISO standards ?

Are they "microfilmed"? My employer pays ANSI for a wide-ranging subscription to thousands of standards from dozens of agencies. I like your idea, though.

[liberal N proud]

6. The documents are on disc

They will set you up on a specific terminal and set you up to view them. You can make prints of parts of it for the standard fee for printing.

Just ask at the front desk where to go and who to contact.

[WCGreen]

2. When I was a kid I would escape from the world by going to the

library system and lose myself in anything that I could think about.

From laser beams to old magazines, I would prowl around to less frequent places and smell the history in all those books. I would search through the reference books and try to find out something new, something that I had never seen before.

The Cleveland area is blessed by having had many philanthropic men and women who had a vision to use their fortune to better all the people. Wonderful museums and library's and concert venues. It's the best area to enjoy the sophisticated and the banal without having to bustle and jostle about.

I love living here in Cuyahoga County, the home of Cleveland...

[Kolesar]

4. Cleveland leads in charitable donations

The local developers donated hundreds of millions of dollars to rebuilding the Cleveland Museum of Art. The small people are charitable, too.

I would like to move the mountains when I retire, but I don't want to leave this.

[WCGreen]

5. The Art Museum is beautiful....

I love going over to University Circle and then out over to Murray Hill and then out to Corky and Lenny's for a mile high corned beef sangwhich.

[awoke_in_2003]

11. Dont forget the MetroPark system. nt

[WCGreen]

15. There is nothing like the "valley" any place I have ever been...

[awoke_in_2003]

17. I don't know how many miles...

I pedaled the Rocky River Reservation. I lived in Brook Park and went to Midpark High. I was sad to hear my high school was consolidating with (the arch enemy) Berea.

[WCGreen]

18. The baby boom is over...

I ran for state senate back in 1996. I got to know a lot of people out that way. I grew up and live in Westlake now...

[Maeve]

7. Pleased to see so many Ohio libraries on the list

Columbus Metro Library is my "local"--headed there this week to do some research. Congrats to the libraries and the people who support them!

[Kolesar]

8. NY and Ohio are *way* out in front

And congratulations to little Kansas, in third place with 21

Number of starred libraries


http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2012/11/managing-libraries/lj-index/class-of-2012/lj-index-2012-2012-stars-state-by-state/

[WCGreen]

9. I love the libraries...

Even though our city has it's own supported by levies, we always vote for the County Library. It's amazing how much there is to offer here in Cleveland. It's a shame more people don't embrace the wealth of culture we have here.

[awoke_in_2003]

12. It may sound crazy...

but one day I may return to Cleveland to retire. I have been gone too long.

[WCGreen]

13. It's a great city...

Everything that is great about big cities without the three hour commutes.

Someone once told me that the Midwest officially started at the Cuyahoga River. The Eastside was originally settled mostly by New Englanders while the west side was filed in by the German and Irish.

Don't know if this is true, but you can see a lot of difference between the east side and west.

[awoke_in_2003]

16. I moved to Fort Worth in 1992...

and miss Cleveland more every day- especially the food. because of the ethnic diversity you have a diverse dining experience. I really miss good pizza and Polish Boys. I got hooked on Hot Sauce Williams's PBs when I worked at, what used to be, Nationwise Auto Parts on Lee and Harvard.

[awoke_in_2003]

10. I believe it...

I lived on the west side from 81 to 92. The branch libraries were great, the downtown branch was phenomenal. I took the train downtown at least every two weeks just to go there.

[WCGreen]

14. Live in Westlake now, grew up in Lakewood and Westlake...