We’re a top ten American Library!

Our library system has been named a top ten library in the nation in the newly released Hennen American Public Library Ratings. The annual ratings, published by independent researcher Thomas J. Hennen, Jr., were established in 1999. According to HAPLR, ratings are determined based on 15 factors of service quality and operational efficiency related to staffing, materials and circulation. A total of 9,080 libraries were included in the study.

“On the heels of our Library Journal Index 5-Star rating earlier this year, our library system has been rated as the 8th best library of the 100 libraries included in our size category (with a service population between 250,000 and 499,000).  This is the first time we have made the top ten in our size category since the Hennen ratings began ten years ago,” said library director David Jennings. “This is further testimony to the tremendous support we have received from the community we serve, the efforts of the talented and committed staff, and how we have progressed as an organization.

Over 552,000 items were borrowed in June, the highest per month number in the history of the Library.

The year 2008 was another record-breaking year for the Akron-Summit County Public Library. For the third consecutive year, a record number of items were borrowed from the library, totaling 5,842,641, the most in the organization’s 135 years of service to the area. An unprecedented 3.3 million people visited 18 library locations.  A record 325,874 people attended library programs, events, or meetings at library locations.

For more information on the Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings, visit www.haplr-index.com.