Ela Library earns top honors in national study

For the third consecutive year, Ela Area Public Library has been rated a 5-Star Library in Library Journal's Index of Public Library Service.

The prestigious rating is the nation's highest honor and once again makes Ela Library the top-rated library in Lake County and the top-rated library among all mid-sized library systems in all of Illinois.

"We aim to deliver exceptional library services and visitor experiences. This rating is evidence that we're on the right track," said Ela Library's Executive Director Matt Womack.

The honor is bestowed by the library field's leading professional publication, Library Journal, and compares U.S. public libraries on the quantities of services they deliver based on per capita statistics for library visits, number of items borrowed, program attendance and public Internet use.

The index gives libraries an indication of how they stack up with their peers. Ela Library was rated in the category of operating expenditures of more than $5 million but less than $10 million.

In its category, 10 libraries nationwide were given a 5-Star Rating, with Ela Library the only one receiving the highest score in Illinois and the 10th highest score nationally. The rating is a remarkable honor for staff, the library's board of trustees and the community.

This year, 7,663 libraries across the country were evaluated, but only 261 received either a three-, four- or five-star rating. Scores were based on statistics submitted in 2015.

For more information about the Library Journal Index, visit lj.libraryjournal.com.

• To submit Your news with one photo, go to dailyherald.com/share. To submit Your news with multiple photos, send it to nbrcalender@dailyherald.com.