FOLEY – The 11th edition of the LJ Index of Public Library Service, sponsored by Baker & Taylor’s CollectConnect, has been released, and Foley Public Library is standing strong in their expenditure range category, coming in at number six, tier one, as a Five-Star Library for 2018.

“When I first started working here the library had a four-star rating, which was tier two on the Index,” said Library Director John Jackson. “One year later we received a five-star rating and moved into the top tier, which is where we’re still at today.”

According to LJ Index’s website, “The LJ Index rates U.S. public libraries based on selected per capita measures. The 2018 Index derives from data recently released by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for FY16.”

For 2018, 7,361 U.S. Public Libraries qualified to be rated in the Index, with 257 being designated as Star Libraries, meaning they received either three-star, four-star, or five-star ratings.

Libraries are divided by expenditure range, Foley falling into the $400,000 - $999,999 range. Scores are calculated based on city/town population, circulation, E-circulation, library visits, program attendance, and public internet computer users. Foley Library received a total score of 3,271. In 2019, IMLS is looking to add Wi-Fi Sessions to their list of data collected when determining overall score.

Currently, Foley Public Library has the largest circulation in the county, as well as the largest number of available titles. They include a courier service where if one of their patrons is looking for a book that they do not have but another local library does, they’ll have the book delivered to their library. They also send books out through the courier service. Jackson said while most libraries utilize the courier service either once daily or once every other day, Foley uses it twice daily.

“We’re still in the top ten rank thanks to our patrons and all of their support,” Jackson said. “We’re always looking for ways to improve and grow to continue to support the needs of our patrons.”

Going into 2019, Jackson is looking to bring more titles and Ebooks to the library. Library card holders have access to the app RBdigital, which offers audio and Ebooks for easy download. Thanks to a Library Service Tech Act Grant, Jackson said the library will be ordering popular fiction titles for patrons.

“We’re hoping to speed up turn around time on popular titles,” Jackson said. “Every few weeks we’ll print out a chart showing the most popular books checked out, and which books had the most holds and wait times on them. Let’s say a popular book is released, the number of holds can grow quickly. If you’re 40 in line for the book, that could take months for you to receive it. So we’re going to be ordering extra copies of our most popular books in the hopes to reduce hold time and make sure our patrons get the books they want as quickly as possible.”

During 2018 Snapshot Day, approximately 1,000 people came in and out of the library. On any given day, there are between 750-1,000 library visitors. Aside from books, the numerous events that are always going on at the library bring people through the doors, and Jackson stated the library staff members are looking to make 2019 events bigger and better.

“At the end of each year, I do a report of what all we accomplished for that year, and where we were lacking,” Jackson said. “I check the standards that are listed by the Alabama Library Association and see where we can better improve to continue to meet those standards. We’re currently a gold standard member, and I believe that we’ll be able to achieve the same next year.”

To learn more about the Foley Public Library and to check out the events and titles they have to offer, check out their website at www.foleylibrary.org.