FIVE STARS: WILKINSON WINS 5TH 5-STAR RATING

13 Nov FIVE STARS: WILKINSON WINS 5TH 5-STAR RATING

Editor’s note:  Year after year, the Library Journal Index of Public Library Services, a public library rating system, has designated Telluride’s Library a five-star institution. And it just earned its fifth star in a row, which puts The Wilkinson Public Library into an elite club of 30 libraries that have seen stars five years in a row and third in the nation among public libraries with annual budgets of $1 – 5 million, hence the name of library director Barb Brattin’s semi-regular column, “Five Stars.” This week’s blog is Barb’s chance to lay out the details and crow.

Barb Brattin, director, Wilkinson Public LIbrary (and Finn)

The Wilkinson Public Library has been counting stars ever since Library Journal began its “Star Index” in 2009. Five cycles later, we have earned five 5-star ratings in a row, the highest rating allotted public libraries based on use per capita. Only 30 libraries nationwide have earned all five 5-star ratings and only one other Colorado library –  LaVeta Public Library – can boast the same sort of honor.

It’s no secret that the Wilkinson is one hopping place. And it’s pretty obvious we’ve moved beyond traditional library services to support a lively, passionate community that clearly loves to learn. That makes us a little noisier than most libraries, a fact some folks embrace; others, not so much. But the level of our business is startling even to me when I look at what else the 2012 Library Journal Star Index tells us about how we, ahem, stack up:

• We are still the busiest public library in Colorado. Yup, little Telluride. More use per capita than any other public library in the state. What a great return on investment for our taxpayers!

• Only five libraries in Colorado received stars this round:  Arapahoe, Douglas County, LaVeta, Mancos and Wilkinson. Only two received 5 stars.

• No other resort library in Colorado received stars of any number. Vail and Aspen disappeared from the list. (Realtors, feel free to add this to your list of reasons why prospective clients should put Telluride at the top of their list.)

• We ranked #3 overall for use per capita nationwide within our budget category of $1-5 million.

• In circulation, we ranked #5 for use per capita nationwide within our budget category of $1-5 million.

• For public computer use, we ranked #6 for use per capita nationwide within our budget category of $1-5 million.

• For program attendance, we ranked #8 for use per capita nationwide within our budget category of $1-5 million.

• For visits, we ranked #4 for use per capita nationwide within our budget category of $1-5 million.

• We rank #12 in the nation among every library in every budget category for # visits per capita.

Something tells me we’re doing something right.

And I know you agree.

So, come on in and take advantage of all the amazing programs and collections the Wilkinson Public Library has to offer and join your friends in celebrating a library as unique as the town that supports us.