This is the 8th time the library has ranked #1 in Hennen's Index, which looks at usage, support, and efficiency among 9,000 public libraries nationwide. Twice the library has ranked #2.
"It really is an honor to be recognized in this way, but more importantly, we are grateful to be able to provide citizens with quality library service -- especially in difficult economic times," said Tracy Williams, interim library director.
More than 17,000 visitors each week
Whether it is to take a child to story time, check out the latest bestsellers or grab a new release movie or video game for the upcoming weekend, patrons know Washington-Centerville Library is the place to visit. And visits to the library have increased by 15 percent in 2009.
Free, high speed access to the Internet, subscription free access to research databases, and a variety of programs for kids, teens and adults also bring patrons to the library.
These services complement the library’s wide selection of materials and draw many people who would not normally visit. As a result, the library scores high in several areas measured by the HAPLR Index, including visits per capita and visits per hour.
The knowledgeable and friendly staff also keeps patrons coming back to the library time and time again.
"I feel that I'm visiting friends when I walk in the door," said Louise Dutcher, library user. The library typically answers more than 200,000 questions per year for patrons doing personal, business or school research. These high assistance numbers translate into high marks on the HAPLR rating with measures such as reference assists per capita and staff per capita.
More than 2 million items checked out annually
"I always find what I'm looking for -- and more," said a frequent library patron. Still another patron said, "You have the best selection of DVDs I've seen anywhere."
In all, patrons have access to more than 380,000 library items in the form of books, audio books, magazines, CDs, CD ROMs, DVDs, videos, and video games. On average, patrons of Washington-Centerville Public Library check out 42 items each year -- seven times the national average. This high usage is proof that patrons find what they are looking for when they visit the library and is measured by HAPLR in terms of circulation per capita, circulation per hour.
Local support makes continued success possible
Washington-Centerville Public Library also has the benefit of local financial support, in addition to state funding.
"With state funding to libraries on the decline, we are even more appreciative of the commitment our citizens have made via a 10-year local operating levy," Williams said. "Our library's success is a direct result of our patrons' support. They entrust us with their tax dollars and we work hard to make sure they get the maximum return on that investment," Williams said.
Hennen's American Public Library Rating Index (HAPLR) rates 9000 public libraries in the U.S. using federal statistics that evaluate library usage, library support and library efficiency.
Statistics include visits per capita, collection usage, reference and circulation per capita, circulation and visits per hour, expenditure per capita, percent budget to materials, materials expenditure per capita, cost per circulation (low to high), and circulation per staff hour.
The author of the index, Thomas J. Hennen, Jr., says the index fills a need for information on service accountability in much the same way that listings of the top 500 corporations do in business. For more information visit Hennen's American Public Library Rating Index, at www.haplr-index .com. For more information on the Washington-Centerville Public Library visit www.wclibrary.info .