Naperville honored for 5-star library

The Naperville Public Library recently was awarded 5 stars by the Library Journal Index for the 10th consecutive edition.

Naperville is one of 13 public libraries nationwide to be named a 5-star library in each of the 10 editions.

"I think the key to NPL's success is the high customer satisfaction we provide," Executive Director Julie Rothenfluh said. "The members of our community love the library and get every use they can out of it."

The five measures the Library Journal Index analyzed were circulation, e-circulation, library visits, program attendance, and public internet computer use.

LJ Index scores are produced by measuring the proportional relationships between each library's statistics and the averages for its expenditure category.

Rothenfluh said she believes the library's continued recognition is due, in part, to a two-sided coin.

"On one side is the community, coming to the library, checking out our materials, participating in our programs, using our services, and finding use for our space. It's really very extraordinary how much the people of Naperville love and use the library," she said.

"On the other side is staff, providing materials people want to check out, programs they want to attend, services and equipment they want to use, and a welcome, friendly environment that encourages them to return."

This year, 7,409 U.S. public libraries qualified to be rated in the Index. In this edition, there are 259 Star Libraries, each receiving 3-Star, 4-Star, or 5-Star designations.