Ellinwood School/Community Library has been recognized by Library Journal as a Three Star Library! Our library is one of twelve to be recognized in the state of Kansas, and 258 libraries nation-wide. According to the Journal, “the competition for Star Library status is tougher than ever.”
To receive an LJ Index rating a library must satisfy these criteria:
• Meet the IMLS definition of a public library
• Have a service area with at least 1,000 population
• Have total operating expenditures of at least $10,000
• Report the four service output statistics
LJ Index scores are based on four per capita service output statistics:
• library visits
• circulation
• program attendance
• public Internet computer use
These four measures were found to be closely related statistically. Other service output statistics available nationally-patron registration counts, reference transactions, and interlibrary lending-are not sufficiently related to these core four measures to justify their inclusion in the same index.
LJ Index scores measure the levels of library service delivery relative to peer libraries nationally. The scores do not indicate the quality, effectiveness, or value of library services, nor whether the quantities of services provided sufficiently address community needs. Our library examines these important issues locally by patron input, attending workshops and conferences that allow us to learn the latest trends, and input from our Library Board and school administration. (Information obtained from http://lj.libraryjournal.com/ 11-17-2015)
We appreciate our community and school for their interest and utilization of our services.  This award is due to the hard work of Sharon Sturgis, Julie Blakeslee, Michele Martin, Kay Linden, Joyce Schulte, Mildred Burrows, Library and School Board members, and previous staff members.  Congratulations on a job well done!
Sheri Holmes
Director of Library/Media Services