Library gets surprise with Star Library rating
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By Dave Taylor
Hancock County Public Library is a star after being named a Star Library by the publication Library Journal.
The accolade came as a surprise to director Tina Snyder because it was published in the magazine without anyone ever telling her they’d earned the title.
The rating is based on numbers gathered from what’s submitted by local libraries to the state, where the journal picks those who meet their requirements to be named as a Star Library.
“The recognition is not something that we submit for, as far as I’m submitting this information to be considered for this rating,” she said.
So she wasn’t looking for their name to be mentioned, but a former board member, Denny Keown, brought it to her attention on December 23 after seeing the magazine.
“I was working the desk and he came up there and he showed me a page in this Library Journal magazine and he said, ‘This is pretty good here, isn’t it?’” Snyder said.
She didn’t think it was her library at all.
“I said it must be the one in Ohio or the one in Indiana or something,” she said.
Then she scanned across the page and saw that it was in Kentucky. Then she saw the population number of 8,810 that she’d included in her year-end report.
“I was like oh gosh, dang that is us,” she said.
She was pretty sure it was a big deal but she wanted to make sure.
She emailed the Kenton County director, because that library had been a repeat Star Library.
“I just want to make sure that I do need to toot my horn,” Snyder said. “I’m getting ready to toot it but I want to make sure that I’m not doing it prematurely.”
Yes, it was worth tooting her horn, she was told.
Talking to the state library, they told her it was indeed a big deal.
“She said oh my gosh that’s wonderful news because a lot of times Kentucky libraries don’t get chosen, or at least not four,” she said.
Hancock was chosen along with Kenton County, Lexington Public Library and Leslie County.
Libraries are chosen based on five measures: total circulation, circulation of electronic materials, library visits per capita, program attendance per capita and public internet computer use per capita.
Those numbers are tallied and given a score, leading to a number of stars from three to five, and Hancock was awarded three stars.
Being recognized by a library publication is an honor in itself, which is good because it doesn’t come with anything else.
“We don’t receive any extra funds because of it,” she said. “It’s nothing like that, it’s just mainly a recognition by a Library Journal.”
“I was very surprised honestly, because it’s not a thing I focus on,” she said. “But it is very awesome and it’s definitely a team effort. It doesn’t happen just because of one person’s plans you know. We all have to work together to make it happen.”
dave.hancockclarion@gmail.com