Politics & Government

Mercer County Library System Honored

The Library Journal, a monthly publication for library professionals, gave the Mercer County Library System five stars, the highest rating possible, in its recently study of 7,513 public libraries nationwide.

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued by the Mercer County administration.

The Library Journal, a monthly publication for library professionals, recently released its 2011 ratings for the nation’s public libraries and ranked the Mercer County Library System among the nation’s best libraries for the fourth straight year.

The publication, called “America’s Star Libraries,” rated 7,513 public libraries using a variety of data and only 262 received a rating of five, four or three stars.

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The Mercer County Library System earned a five-star rating, maintaining the prestigious rating it earned for the first time in 2008 then again in 2009 and 2010. The Mercer County Library System was one of just three libraries in New Jersey to receive this top honor, and placed sixth out of 30 libraries nationwide in its budget category.

“I’m very pleased that our comprehensive library system in Mercer County is once again being recognized with this honor,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes. “Our library system works hard to provide the best service and the most diverse programs to our residents and their families. It is one of the jewels of Mercer County.”

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The criteria for ranking the libraries were measures that indicate public service — per capita circulation, visits, program attendance, and public Internet use. The Mercer County Library System received the highest score possible in each of these categories.

“Receiving a five-star rating from a publication such as Library Journal is an honor and means that we are nationally recognized as a public library that delivers high service, quality, and excellence to our patrons. We are all very proud to be able to offer these types of services to our communities during a time of such economic need,” said Library Director Ellen Brown.

The Mercer County Library System, made up of nine conveniently-located branches, is committed to providing the materials and services that satisfy the educational, informational, recreational, and cultural needs of its diverse community and strives to encourage a lifelong interest in reading.

For information about the programs and services offered by the MCLS, please visit your local branch or www.mcl.org.


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