Northbrook Public Library rated among best in U.S.

The Northbrook Public Library has been rated the No. 1 library in Illinois and No. 2 nationally within its budgetary category for 2020 in the Library Journal index of public library service.

Drawn from data for fiscal year 2018 released by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, under Executive Director Kate Hall it's the second straight year Northbrook Public Library earned a 5-star rating. It's among 10 libraries nationwide with budgets from $5 million to $9.9 million to earn that distinction.

"This is not the first time we have won this, but I think it really shows we don't rest on our past successes," Hall said. "We're continually looking for ways to provide a great value to the community. And in turn the community really actively uses the library, so it's a symbiotic relationship."

The Northbrook Public Library, which followed only the Worthington (Ohio) Public Library within their budgetary range nationally, first earned a 5-star rating in 2012 under the late director, Chad Raymond.

The Wilmette Public Library District ranked sixth nationally within the same budget. Glenview Public Library placed 23rd. The Naperville Public Library ranked first nationally for those with budgets between $10 million to $29.9 million.

Using per capita rates, star awards are based on library visits, items checked out, usage of electronic materials, attendance at library programs and public internet computer use and Wi-Fi sessions. This year 5,608 public libraries in the United States qualified to be rated in the index, Library Journal stated.

Aiding its case, the Northbrook Library has responded to patrons' evolving uses. Hall found it interesting that over the past few years the number of people who have used the library's public access computers has decreased, but usage of the library's wireless internet connection has risen "dramatically," she said.

"People just don't want to be locked into one piece of equipment. They want to be able to roam," Hall said.

The library responded this year by creating 13 new study rooms for people who want a quieter space.

Hall suspects that when it's time to assess libraries' 2020 performance under the COVID-19 pandemic, if Northbrook does not receive a 5-star rating it should still be considered highly based on its ability to quickly offer services after it closed in March.

In May 2020, there was a 308% increase in e-book checkouts compared to May 2019. Checkouts of downloadable movies and television programs rose 550%. In December, patrons received more than 14,000 items by curbside pickup.

The library pivoted to offer virtual programming, remote printing and technology help sessions and handled increased demand for streaming movies and music.

Hall said library staff created a goal "to provide educational and recreational support to our patrons, and I feel like we have done that."