Pleasure Island Libraries Rock!

The Thomas B. Norton Public Library and Orange Beach Public Library have earned national recognition for library service in the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service, 2009, Round 2. This system scrutinizes statistics which describe library service outputs – library visits, items checked out (circulation), public Internet computer usage and program attendance. With only five libraries in Alabama receiving Star rankings (and only 12 in the southeast), the community can be proud that two top ranking libraries are here on the Island.

The LJ Index only gives five, four, or three stars to the top 258 libraries. According to the article, some libraries received lower scores than in the first LJ Index ratings issued in February, in which Orange Beach ranked as a 3-Star Library and Gulf Shores as a 2-Star. While a lower index score does not mean the library’s actual performance decreased in 2007 rather it reflects the stiffer competition that additional libraries introduce into the mix. With 7,268 libraries in the mix, Orange Beach’s ranking went from a 3-Star to a 5-Star, the highest ranking obtainable. Gulf Shores performance also increased from a 2-Star to a 4-Star rating.

This second round of the LJ Index rankings is based on 2007 data, predating the recession’s onset. Libraries nationwide “are adapting to dramatic economic changes – static or reduced resources despite predictably increased public demand for library services,” according to the article. Bonnie Lee, Director of the Orange Beach Public Library, noted that “as of the end of September 4,223 more people have walked through our doors than our total visits of 2008. With a tighter budget we are facing challenges to continue the top-ranked services for our community. Among the challenges our libraries face is to continue meeting the needs of our customers in a tough economy, keeping up with and coordinating the information explosion, serving as backup for school libraries and keeping entertainment and enrichment programs alive.”

Over in Gulf Shores, Thomas B. Norton Public Library Director Wendy Congiardo attributes much of the library’s continuing success and growth to the support of the community, which is bolstered by outreach programming that the library is able to provide. “We strive to present the community with a wide array of opportunities to learn and to enjoy themselves at our library,” says Congiardo. As one of only nine “Spotlighted” libraries in this issue of LJ Index, Thomas B. Norton Public Library has set a standard for continuing excellent service, even as library traffic increases and the information needs of patrons grow and change. The public libraries in both Orange Beach and Gulf Shores will strive to maintain stellar examples of library service with ongoing support from our great community.

Congratulations also to the Flomaton Public Library 5-Star, Homewood Public Library 4-Star and Rogersville Public Library 3-Star.