LJ Index 2016: The Star Libraries by Expenditure Category

by Ray Lyons & Keith Curry Lance
Nov 01, 2016 | Filed in Leadership
The LJ Index is based on five types of per capita use they generate: visits, circulation, ecirculation, public access computer use, and program attendance. Star Library ratings of five, four, and three stars are awarded to libraries that generate the highest combined per capita outputs among their spending peers.

America's Star Libraries 2016

LJ Index of Public Library Service 2016

The LJ Index is based on five types of per capita use they generate: visits, circulation, ecirculation, public access computer use, and program attendance. Star Library ratings of five, four, and three stars are awarded to libraries that generate the highest combined per capita outputs among their spending peers. For details about how the LJ Index is calculated and for whom, see the project’s FAQ. This year, there are 260 Star Libraries.

To see the scores of all libraries included, go to Find a Library.

Notes about the tables:

  • Data in these tables are sorted initially by number of stars and score.
  • All of the tables are resortable. For example, to sort within an expenditure range by circulation per capita, click the “Circ (per Capita)” cell in the head row of the table.
  • The first sort will be descending, another click will switch to ascending.
  • To sort by another criterion, select another cell in the head row of the table.
  • To sort the table by two criteria at the same time, first click the header column you’d like to be the initial sort factor. Then add a secondary sort by holding shift while selecting a another column.
  • You can also use the search box at the top right corner of the table to search for and filter text in the table.
[table id=144 /] [table id=145 /] [table id=146 /] [table id=147 /] [table id=148 /] [table id=149 /] [table id=150 /] [table id=151 /] [table id=152 /] » Next page: "Find Your Library"
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Sarah

Pardon me if I am missing this - is there any way to find out collection expenditures within these amounts?

Posted : Nov 03, 2016 08:19

Ray Lyons

Hello Sarah No, we don't include the measure which IMLS calls Total Collection Expenditures in any of the LJ Index spreadsheets. But that measure is available either from your state library authority or by using the IMLS Find Your Library tool at: https://www.imls.gov/research-evaluation/data-collection/public-libraries-survey/find-your-library To use the Find Your Library tool, click on Explore Library Systems. In the left middle of the page, in the search field under Library Name, enter your library's name. Select the correct library if a drop down list appears. Data for the library you selected then appears to the right. Check under the State column to be sure you didn't accidentally retrieve a library with the same name, but a different state. There are 80+ columns (fields) of data. So you need to scroll right to locate the column with the name of the measure you are looking for. Start by finding the bottom horizontal scroll bar (scroll down to make it visible). Then scroll right--probably 3 or 4 clicks is enough. Look for the column heading TOTAL COLLECTION EXPENDITURES. That's the field you need. I hope this is helpful, Sarah. Ray L.

Posted : Nov 03, 2016 08:19

Sarah

Thanks, Ray. I'm seeing smaller libraries with higher expenditures overall, so I would like these for benchmarks.

Posted : Nov 03, 2016 08:19

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