Forget the losing sports teams. The Cleveland Public Library (CPL), widely known for its outstanding collections and service, has been ranked one of the top four libraries in the country by Library Journal’s America’s Star Libraries 2015. It was given the highest ranking of five stars, moving up in the rankings from last year.
“The Library Journal’s ranking is continued proof that Cleveland Public Library is providing exemplary service and adds tremendous value to our city and region by increasing the utilization of the library as well as continuing to enhance our community-based programs,” said Felton Thomas, director of CPL, in a statement. “CPL provides our residents easy access to free and needed resources that help children, families, job seekers, and all Clevelanders, fulfilling our mission of being the People’s University.”
Library Journal’s Index of Public Library Service assessed nearly 8,000 library systems in four categories: library visits, circulation, program attendance and public Internet usage. CPL was rated fourth in its category nationally — libraries with expenditures of $30 million or more — showing growth in three areas: library visits, program attendance and Internet usage.
Further demonstrating that the area could acquire a more positive image if it identified with its libraries more than its teams, the top-ranked library system in the nation in the $30 million expenditure category is the Cuyahoga County Public Library. Call us a literary mecca!
Cleveland, OH 44114