Lehi, UTAH (November 27, 2013) – SirsiDynix congratulated thirteen of its customer libraries for receiving the prestigious 5-star rating in this year’s Library Journal (LJ) Index of Public Library Service. LJ designed its rating system to support public libraries, collect library statistics, and promote library improvement and self-evaluation. Only 3.5 percent of public libraries nationwide were honored with Star Library recognition, and only 1.1 percent of public libraries received a 5-star rating.

Ellen Brown, director of Mercer County Library System and a SirsiDynix customer, said, “The staff and the administration are immensely proud of our sixth consecutive 5-star designation by Library Journal. We are both thrilled and humbled to be one of three New Jersey libraries to receive this rating, as well as the only New Jersey public library to receive a 5-Star designation in the $10,000,000 to $29,999,999 expenditure category. As a system, we work hard to respond to the needs of our communities by providing both traditional and non-traditional library services and diverse and satisfying programming.”

The LJ Index of Public Library Service scores American libraries based on per capita rates of library visits, circulation, program attendance, and public Internet use. It compares how libraries rank nationally when compared to their peers in a similar expenditure range. This year’s list is comprised of data collected in 2011 by state library agencies and reported by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.

“We are extremely proud to receive this recognition,” said Seattle City Librarian Marcellus Turner, a SirsiDynix customer. “We have been ranked one of the best library systems in the country based on the use of our services. This shows the high value and importance our community places on our public libraries and the resources we provide. We continue to be a well-loved, well-used system.”

The following SirsiDynix customers received the LJ 5-star rating in 2013:

• Seattle Public Library
• Santa Clara County Library
• Mercer County Library
• Schaumburg Township District Library
• Kansas City Public Library
• Westport Public Library
• Ela Area Public Library District
• Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library
• Northbrook Public Library
• Unalaska Public Library
• Page Public Library
• Hudson Library and Historical Society
• Wickliffe Public Library

There are a total of 41 SirsiDynix customer libraries on the LJ list, including those with 5-star, 4-star, and 3-star ratings. For more information on this year’s rated libraries, see this article from Library Journal.

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