LJ Index 2013: The Star Libraries

A major strength of the annual Star Library ratings is that while some public libraries have various kinds of built-in advantages that tend to keep them on the list, in fact, a substantial proportion of the Star Libraries are new to this recognition each year. Of 2013’s 263 Star Libraries, 67 (25.5 percent) were not Star Libraries in 2012. Notably, this year’s percentage of new Star Libraries is higher than it has been in four of the last five years (those four years, ranging from 19.4 percent in fall 2009 to 24.4 percent in 2010). So, generally, the trend over time is increasing annually the percentage of new Star Libraries. Attaining the status of a new Star Library is also becoming more competitive, as, by design, Star Libraries as a percentage of all eligible public libraries has remained static at 3.5 percent—the same ratio as in fall 2009.