For the second year in a row, the Wilmette Public Library District was named a five-star library by Library Journal magazine, officials said.
The prestigious five-star rating arrives as the library building is shuttered due to COVID-19, but finds library employees still offering curbside and virtual devices for patrons.
“Wilmette Public Library’s five star rating is a reflection of our community’s outstanding engagement with and support for our services,” said Anthony Auston, library director.
The distinction was announced earlier this month, after officials at the magazine analyzed 5,608 qualifying libraries across the U.S., awarding stars to 262 libraries in 39 states.
In addition to Wilmette, officials said other area libraries earning a 5-star rating include: Naperville Public Library; Schaumburg Public Library; Northbrook Public Library; Elmhurst Public Library; Oak Park Public Library; and the Ela Area Public Library District.
The distinction places Wilmette in the top 4% of the nation’s public libraries, officials said.
The rating is based on six factors, including per capita circulation of physical materials, number of visitors, e-circulation, public computer use, program attendance, and Wi-Fi sessions, official said.
Wilmette performed particularly well in several categories, officials said, with notably high performance in both print and e-circulation, placing Wilmette among libraries having the highest rates in the nation with 6.04 circulations per capita.
Wilmette also performed well in Wi-Fi sessions, with around 35 per capita, and program attendance, with 1.26 per capita, officials said.
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