By Autumn Vasquez
Ann Arbor District Library
For the 14th year in a row (every year since they started the rating), The Ann Arbor District Library(AADL) has earned a five star rating in the Library Journal’s (LJ) annual ratings of public libraries across the nation. Michigan has 3 “star” libraries. Regionally, the Midwest boasts the most “star” libraries, at 117.
In the 140 years since the journal was created, LJ has been inspired by the belief that libraries transform lives, at every stage of life.
LJ’s star ratings are based on per capita output measures based on data from the Institute of Museum and Library Services Public Library Survey. Seven measures determine total scores and star ratings:
- Circulation of physical materials
- Circulation of electronic materials
- Library visits
- Library program attendance
- Public internet users
- WiFi sessions
- E-retrievals (usage of online content like databases)
The AADL has been a five-star library since LJ created America’s Star Libraries Ratings in 2008. In the State of Michigan, West Bloomfield Township Public Library and Kent District Library earned three-star rankings on LJ’s list. See the full list of libraries earning stars here.