(no subject)
October 23, 2006
For immediate release
Contact: Penny Hummel, Public Relations, 503.988.5498
Cindy Gibbon, Access Services, 503.988.5496
Library news and information: www.multcolib.org/news
MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY AGAIN TOPS LIST OF NATION’S BUSIEST LIBRARIES
PORTLAND, OR - For the fourth year in a row, Multnomah County Library ranks No. 1 in annual circulation of books and materials among all public libraries nationwide, according to a recent report issued by the Public Library Association.
In 2005, library customers checked out 19.5 million items - or over 28 books for every man, woman and child in Multnomah County, an outstanding indicator that our library system is one of the nation’s busiest.
“This wonderful news confirms what we already know - that our libraries are well-loved and well-used by people of all ages,” said Director of Libraries Molly Raphael, adding that over 13,000 people visit a Multnomah County library each day. Raphael also noted that the library has the highest circulation per capita of all U.S. libraries serving more than 250,000 people.
Library Advisory Board president and longtime library advocate Alice Meyer echoed the library director’s enthusiasm, noting that the support of library users has made a critical difference in the quality of our library system. “Thanks to our community of book lovers, we can all take pride in being No. 1!”
Circulation of library materials is one of the primary indicators used by libraries to evaluate their success in serving the public. The rankings, published in the Public Library Association’s Statistical Report 2006, are for fiscal year 2005.
I skew their data though, the average is 28 books per patron, per year, and so far I've checked out at least 115 or so this year... but it's still a cool award/honor anyway!