Top 10 Best Public Libraries
Nearly 350,000 cardholders took advantage of ourgreat collection and resources in 2010
Earlier this year our Library ranked 7th among libraries serving populations of 500,000 or more in Hennen’s American Public Library ratings, our highest rating ever. Hennen’s top ranked public libraries are considered the best in the nation.
Top 10 Largest Library Collections
We were also ranked in the top 10 for collection size, 1 of only 3 public libraries to make the top 10, by the American Library Association. Ranking 10th with a collection of 9.2 million items, our Library is in the prestigious company of the Library of Congress, Harvard University, and New York Public Library.
Top 10 Busiest Public Libraries
Finally, a review of the number of items checked out from public libraries in 2009 again placed our Library in the top 10. With more than 16 million items borrowed, we ranked 10th in the nation. Of those 10, many serve areas much larger including Queens, Brooklyn, and King County.
We are the only public library in the country to be in the top 10 on all three lists. While we always love to be among the best, biggest and busiest in the nation we must also remember the need for public libraries. Its not just about how busy we are but the vital services we offer.
Zoo Tales, with storytimes and book characters,were popular programs during Summer Reading
Over the summer, the important role public libraries play in our society has been a topic of discussion on radio programs and in editorials. Research reports have also shown the unique role of public libraries and the need for our services even as more and more information is made available in digital format. Here are two examples:
Impact of Library Summer Reading
Public Library Summer Reading Programs Close the Reading Gap, a study by the Dominican University Graduate School of Library & Information Science, found that students who participated in the public library summer reading program had better reading skills at the end of the third grade and scored higher on standard tests than the students who did not participate. Over 34,000 readers benefited from participating in our 2010 Summer Reading Program.
Importance of Internet Access
Opportunity for All, a study from the University of Washington Information School and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, focuses on the vital access to computers and the Internet public libraries provide. The study found that Internet access is now one of the most sought after public library services and was used by 45% of the 169 million public library visitors over the past year. More than three-quarters of those using a public library’s Internet access had Internet access at home, work or elsewhere.
The Eilert family checks out books, CDs, and DVDsat the Symmes Township Branch
Benefits of Libraries
Todays libraries are more than places to borrow books and movies. We are places to apply for jobs, to start a small business, to teach children to read, to answer your questions. We offer a place for children to stay after school and get help with their homework. We offer computers to use free of charge for any purpose and we offer programs that encourage reading by all ages. We’re glad the people of Cincinnati and Hamilton County are such avid library users and we plan to keep offering an outstanding collection and terrific service to the diverse audience we serve.